Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his willingness to collaborate under Donald Trump’s “strong leadership” to pursue lasting peace, just days after a contentious meeting at the White House. Following the meeting, which resulted in the United States announcing a pause in military assistance to Ukraine, Zelensky characterized the encounter as “regrettable” in a detailed post on social media.
Seeking constructive dialogue
Zelensky emphasized the need to rectify the situation, stating, “It is time to make things right.” This remark came in response to accusations from Trump that Ukraine was unprepared to engage in negotiations. The Ukrainian leader also reiterated Ukraine’s readiness to finalize a minerals deal with the US, which had not materialized during their talks in Washington.
“Friday’s meeting did not go the way it was supposed to be,” Zelensky noted, expressing disappointment with the outcome. He expressed his desire for future cooperation to be constructive and effective.
On Tuesday, Ukraine learned that the US was “pausing and reviewing” its military aid after last week’s diplomatic fallout. In his post, Zelensky conveyed deep gratitude for the support received from the United States. “We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence,” he stated. He acknowledged a pivotal moment during Trump’s first term when the US provided Ukraine with Javelins, an anti-tank missile system, expressing appreciation for this assistance.
Diplomatic tensions and future prospects
During the Oval Office meeting, Vice-President JD Vance confronted Zelensky about perceived ingratitude regarding military support, asking, “Have you said ‘thank you’ once this entire meeting?” Trump echoed this sentiment, suggesting Zelensky had not adequately expressed his appreciation. In response, Zelensky defended himself, affirming, “I’m very thankful to Americans for all your support” in an interview with Fox News shortly after the meeting.
The meeting was initially intended to conclude with the signing of a deal granting the US access to rare earth minerals in Ukraine. However, following the tense exchanges, the Ukrainian delegation left without signing the agreement, with Trump suggesting, “come back when you’re ready for peace.” Zelensky outlined a potential framework for ending the war, proposing the immediate release of prisoners and a ceasefire that would include an end to missile strikes and drone attacks on civilian infrastructure.
French President Emmanuel Macron commended Zelensky’s readiness to “re-engage in dialogue” with Trump. Prior to their meeting, Macron had warned Trump against appearing weak in the face of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General encouraged Zelensky to mend relations with Trump, highlighting the importance of acknowledging past US support.
Zelensky’s remarks did not include an apology to Trump, a move some in the US political sphere were advocating for. In Moscow, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov remarked that the US’s decision to pause military aid could serve as a beneficial contribution to peace efforts, indicating a hopeful stance regarding the situation.
As of now, Trump has not commented on the military aid pause or Zelensky’s responses. Previously, however, he criticized Zelensky’s comments regarding the peace process during a summit involving European allies, calling them the “worst statement” he could have made.