Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with US Vice-President J.D Vance at the Munich Security Conference on Friday amid a fresh push by Washington for talks to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. European leaders were alarmed after President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he had held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to effectively begin negotiations without seeking the cooperation of Kyiv.
Mr Zelensky has said his country must be involved in negotiations over a potential peace deal. He is expected to meet with Mr Vance and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Despite backing Mr Trump’s position that the war must end, Mr Vance told the Wall Street Journal that Moscow could be hit with sanctions and potential military action if Mr Putin fails to agree a peace deal that guarantees Kyiv's long-term independence.
“I think there is a deal that is going to come out of this that’s going to shock a lot of people,” he said. “The president is not going in this with blinders on... He’s going to say, ‘Everything is on the table, let’s make a deal.’. Follow below for the latest updates... Welcome to our live blog ahead of a busy day in global politics and diplomacy. Vice President JD Vance will lead the US delegation to the Munich Security Conference that starts today in the southern German city.
World leaders and diplomats are gathering amid intense concern and uncertainty over the Trump administration's foreign policy. Vance is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for talks that many — particularly in Europe — hope will shed at least some light on Trump's ideas for a negotiated settlement to the war. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was supposed to join Vance and Zelensky but was delayed when his Air Force plane had to return to Washington after developing a mechanical problem en route to Munich.
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