Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet US Vice President JD Vance in Germany on Friday, where he is expected to caution against trusting Russian President Vladimir Putin, amid growing concerns in Kyiv and across Europe that the Ukraine war may be settled without their input.
The meeting comes as the Munich Security Conference kicks off, just days after a pivotal discussion between US President Donald Trump and Putin—talks that have rattled Ukraine and NATO allies nearly three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Trump-Putin Talks Spark Alarm
Trump announced that he had agreed with Putin to begin Ukraine peace talks and to exchange friendly visits. His administration further indicated that Ukraine may have to cede territory to Russia and that Kyiv’s NATO membership ambitions were impractical.
Vance, speaking ahead of his speech in Munich, attempted to allay European fears, telling The Wall Street Journal that:
“The president is not going to go into this with blinders on. Everything is on the table—let’s make a deal.”
He emphasized that the US has economic and military leverage in negotiations, but declined to specify how much Ukrainian territory may remain under Russian control or what security guarantees the West could offer Kyiv.
“There are any number of formulations, but we do care about Ukraine having sovereign independence,” Vance added.
Zelensky Pushes Back
Zelensky, however, remains wary of any diplomatic overtures toward Russia. On Thursday, he warned world leaders against believing Putin’s claims of readiness to end the war and insisted that the US should agree on a strategy to stop Putin before engaging in negotiations.
European Fears Over Ukraine’s Fate
European leaders have voiced strong opposition to any deal struck without Ukraine’s direct involvement. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that:
“Any deal behind our backs will not work. Appeasement always fails.”
Concerns are mounting that Trump may push Ukraine into an unfavorable peace deal, leaving European nations vulnerable to an emboldened Putin—while also shouldering the costs of Ukraine’s post-war security.
The shifting US stance has widened transatlantic divisions, with European diplomats and military officials deeply unsettled by Washington’s message that securing Ukraine would now be Europe’s responsibility.
“The American message to Europe was pretty stark—Ukraine is your problem. We will help cut a deal with Russia, but enforcing it will be up to you,” wrote Oxford professor Timothy Garton Ash.
Speculation Over US Troop Withdrawal from Europe
Adding to tensions, Munich Security Conference Chairman Christoph Heusgen suggested that Vice President Vance may announce a major reduction of US troops in Europe during his speech on Friday.
“I suspect that today the American Vice President will announce that a large part of the American troops will be withdrawn from Europe,” Heusgen told German radio.
Zelensky’s Push for a ‘Just Peace’
Despite the uncertainty, Zelensky has refrained from outright confrontation with Trump. He described it as “not very pleasant” that Trump called Putin before speaking with him, but reiterated that he wants to discuss a clear plan to halt Putin with the United States before any talks begin.
Meanwhile, he is expected to ramp up appeals for greater European support in securing a “just peace” for Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Rubio Joins Munich Talks
In addition to Vance, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also en route to Europe on Friday, after his initial flight was forced to return due to a mechanical issue.
Trump suggested that high-level representatives from Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington would hold talks in Munich, but the Ukrainian presidency dismissed any plans for meetings with Russian officials, stating:
“For the moment, there is nothing on the table.”
Tight Security in Munich Amid Recent Attack
Security has been heightened in Munich, following a car-ramming attack on Thursday that injured 30 people. An Afghan asylum seeker was arrested at the scene, prompting increased police presence at the security conference.
As the geopolitical landscape shifts, the Munich Security Conference will serve as a crucial stage for Zelensky, Vance, and European leaders to navigate the next phase of the war—and determine Ukraine’s fate on the global stage.
