Zelensky Calls on the World to Choose Between Putin and Peace

A few days before the third anniversary of the Russian invasion, Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a strong message during his daily address on Wednesday, February 19. Amid growing ties between the Kremlin and Donald Trump, who has strongly criticized Kyiv, the Ukrainian president believes the international community must take a stand.

“Our unity is what best protects our future, and our future is not with Putin but with peace,” he stated. “It is a choice for everyone – and especially for the most powerful – to be with Putin or to be with peace.”

Growing Tensions with the United States

This speech marks Zelensky’s first remarks on relations with Washington since a new wave of criticism from Donald Trump. The former U.S. president, campaigning for a return to the White House, called Zelensky a “dictator without elections,” echoing Kremlin rhetoric aimed at discrediting Ukraine, which did not hold a presidential election in 2024 due to the war.

On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump added: “I love Ukraine, but Zelensky has done a terrible job. His country is broken, and millions of people have died needlessly.”

In response to these attacks, the Ukrainian president reaffirmed his confidence in his allies: “I rely on Ukrainian unity, on our courage, on our relations with our partners, on unity in Europe, and on America’s pragmatism.”

A Crucial Meeting with a U.S. Envoy

Zelensky also announced a meeting on Thursday with Keith Kellogg, the U.S. special envoy, hoping for a “constructive” exchange. This dialogue is critical as some observers fear a gradual weakening of American support for Ukraine, especially as Russia intensifies its diplomatic outreach.

The previous day, in Saudi Arabia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a meeting that raises questions about the evolving relationship between Washington and Moscow.

A Call for Lasting Peace

Despite these international tensions, Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine’s primary goal is to end the conflict. “We have wanted this war to end since its very first moments,” he emphasized, adding that victory will come through a solid and lasting peace.

“I am confident that we will bring it to an end with a peace that ensures Russia can never invade Ukraine again, that our people will return from captivity, and that our country will have a future. This is the rightful aspiration of every nation.”

As Ukraine awaits renewed support from its allies, it continues to fight both on the battlefield and in the diplomatic arena to secure the guarantees necessary for its survival and independence.