Ukraine has signalled that it is willing to listen to Mr Trump’s plans to end the war, but has also said it will resist any deal that would look like a Russian victory.
Speaking at a summit of European Union leaders in Budapest, Mr Zelensky said: “There should be no illusions that a just peace can be bought by showing weakness. Peace is a reward only for the strong.”
“Since the July summit of the European Political Community in Great Britain, there has been much talk about giving in to Putin, retreating, and making some ‘concessions,’” he added. “This is unacceptable for Ukraine and suicide for all of Europe.”
Europe should write its ‘own history’
Several European leaders at the summit have called for immediate increases in defence spending in response to fears that Mr Trump will cut aid to Ukraine and roll back support for Nato.
“Do we want to read the history written by others – the wars launched by Vladimir Putin, the US election, China’s technological or trade choices,” said Emmanuel Macron, the president of France. “Or do we want to write our own history. I think we have the strength to write it.”
Ursula von Der Leyen, the chief of the European Commission, said Europe must pull together in the same way it did in response to the Covid pandemic, but did not mention Mr Trump directly.