• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accuses Vladimir Putin of trying to manipulate U.S. President Donald Trump regarding negotiations.
• Putin claims readiness for talks, insisting the crisis in Ukraine could have been avoided if Trump had won the 2020 election.
• Kyiv voices concerns about being excluded from negotiations between Moscow and Washington amidst ongoing conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed concerns that Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks to "manipulate" newly inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump regarding potential negotiations over the ongoing war in Ukraine. In a statement on social media, Zelensky cautioned against Putin's attempts, asserting that "no Russian manipulations will succeed anymore." He highlighted that any discussions surrounding the fate of Ukraine must include Ukrainian and European input, as Putin looks for direct negotiations with the United States without their participation (Le Monde, India Times).

During a recent interview, Putin characterized Trump as a "smart" leader, claiming that if he had been president during the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, it might have been avoided. Putin reiterated that Russia has always been open to discussions regarding Ukraine, reflecting Trump's own assertions about swiftly resolving the conflict (South China Morning Post, CNN). In his remarks, Putin echoed Trump’s unfounded claims of a stolen 2020 election, suggesting that Ukraine's current crisis might not have existed had Trump been in office (Newsweek).

As both leaders express willingness to hold discussions, Zelensky remains skeptical about Putin's intentions, asserting that the Kremlin is eager to continue its military operations while pretending to seek peace. Zelensky emphasized that any negotiations should not exclude Ukraine, reminding the world that Russia must acknowledge its previous aggression before valid discussions can occur (The Guardian).

Putin's statements come amid ongoing hostilities, with recent escalations resulting in casualties on both sides. As the situation develops, the international community watches closely to see if Trump's administration will indeed pursue a path toward negotiated peace or whether Putin's remarks are merely strategic posturing (CNN, Newsweek).