'Putin is afraid of you': Axios reveals interesting details of Zelenskyy and Trump's talks
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told his American counterpart Donald Trump that Russian President Vladimir Putin is merely pretending to seek peace, Axios reports.
According to the news agency, Trump's phone calls with Putin and Zelenskyy marked the beginning of his diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine. However, they also raised concerns among some NATO allies that Trump might pressure Zelenskyy into negotiations.
A Ukrainian official and three other anonymous sources familiar with the conversation stated that Trump told Zelenskyy he had the impression that Putin was seeking a deal, but the Ukrainian president was more skeptical.
A source familiar with the call said Zelenskyy pointed out to Trump that he has leverage over Putin.
Despite Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ruling out Ukraine’s NATO membership and the deployment of US troops for its security this week, the US president supported the idea of involving European peacekeeping forces, sources report.
Trump also informed Zelenskyy about the members of the US negotiating team.
At the same time, three sources said the conversation between Trump and Zelenskyy was positive and lasted about an hour — longer than Trump’s call with Putin just before it.
Trump explained his call with Putin
Trump told Zelenskyy that he understands his concerns about his conversation with Putin but emphasized that it is unavoidable if he wants his diplomatic efforts to succeed.
"I need to talk to Putin in order to save Ukraine," Trump told Zelenskyy, according to sources.
Trump also informed Zelenskyy that Putin wants to reach a deal and asked whether Zelenskyy was open to achieving one. Zelenskyy responded that he still wants an agreement but believes Putin is merely telling Trump what he wants to hear.
"Putin told you he wants a deal only because he is afraid of you, because you are strong," Zelenskyy told Trump, according to sources.
Trump replied that Zelenskyy might be right, but he still had the impression that Putin was serious.
"We will know soon," Trump added, according to two sources.
Security guarantees for Ukraine
According to sources, the US president told his Ukrainian counterpart that he understands Ukraine will need security guarantees as part of any future agreement. He suggested that European peacekeeping forces on the front line with Russia could be one potential solution.
Trump told Zelenskyy that his upcoming meeting with US Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Munich would be crucial for launching the diplomatic process.
He also informed Zelenskyy that CIA Director John Ratcliffe and White House representative Steve Witkoff would be part of the US negotiating team and asked Zelenskyy to appoint his own delegation.
Trump gave Zelenskyy his personal number
One source reported that Trump ended the conversation by giving Zelenskyy his personal number, saying he could call him directly.
In response, Zelenskyy told Trump that he would give him a championship belt from Ukrainian heavyweight boxer Oleksandr Usyk.
Trump-Putin negotiations
On February 12, US President Donald Trump held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The war in Ukraine was one of the key topics discussed.
Following the call, Trump stated that he had "great negotiations" with both Russia and Ukraine. According to him, there is a "good possibility to end the war."
Meanwhile, several European and Ukrainian media outlets suggested that a direct conversation between Trump and Putin could indicate that the US might be negotiating peace in Ukraine without the involvement of Ukraine itself or European countries.
For more on how Europe is reacting to the Trump-Putin talks, read the material by RBC-Ukraine.
