• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warns that Vladimir Putin is trying to manipulate Donald Trump for negotiations related to the Ukraine conflict.
• Putin expressed willingness to discuss the war while echoing Trump's unfounded claims about the 2020 election.
• Zelensky emphasizes Kyiv's determination to be included in any peace talks.
• The ongoing conflict remains tense, with heavy military actions reported on both sides.
• Trump's return to the presidency reignites hopes and fears surrounding U.S.-Russia relations.

In a recent statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cautioned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is attempting to "manipulate" U.S. President Donald Trump, indicating that Moscow seeks to negotiate peace on its own terms without involving Ukraine or European nations. Zelensky's remarks come amid Putin's renewed overtures for dialogue, which Zelensky believes are strategic ploys aimed at undermining Ukraine's sovereignty. "He wants to manipulate the desire of the President of the United States of America to achieve peace," Zelensky stated, asserting that "no Russian manipulations will succeed anymore," as reported by Le Monde.

Putin's comments came shortly after Trump, who was inaugurated this week, expressed a readiness to engage in talks to bring an end to the nearly three-year-long conflict in Ukraine. During an address, Putin praised Trump as a "smart" leader, suggesting that under Trump's administration, the Ukraine crisis might have been averted. "I cannot help but agree with him that if his victory hadn't been stolen in 2020, then maybe there would not have been the crisis in Ukraine that emerged in 2022," Putin noted, echoing false claims about the 2020 U.S. elections previously made by Trump. Zelensky strongly reacted to this by highlighting Kyiv's exclusion from any potential negotiations, underscoring, "Putin wants to negotiate the fate of Europe—without Europe" as detailed by SCMP.

Despite the potential for negotiations between Trump and Putin, signs of de-escalation remain elusive. Military engagements have continued unabated, with recent reports indicating casualties on both sides. Russian aerial attacks near Kyiv have resulted in fatalities, while Ukraine has retaliated with drone strikes across several Russian regions. These developments highlight the ongoing volatility of a conflict that has led to strained relations between the two nuclear powers, reminiscent of Cold War tensions, and an environment where trust and cooperation remain critically challenged.

Meanwhile, Trump has suggested measures aimed at compelling Russia to cease hostilities, including sanctions and tariffs on Russian goods. "If they don’t settle this war soon, I’m going to put massive tariffs on Russia," Trump stated during a recent interview, as highlighted in coverage by The Guardian.

As negotiations appear on the horizon, the necessity for Ukraine's involvement and its sovereignty remains a pivotal topic in international discussions surrounding the conflict.