Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently expressed his willingness to work under Donald Trump’s strong leadership to achieve long-term peace. His statement came just days after a tense Oval Office meeting with the former US president.
Zelensky described the White House encounter as “regrettable” in a detailed social media post after the US announced it would pause military aid to Ukraine. He stressed that it was time to “make things right” following Trump’s claim that Zelensky wasn’t ready to engage in peace talks.
The Ukrainian leader also shared his vision for initial steps to end the war. “We are prepared to act quickly to stop the war. The first steps could include releasing prisoners, establishing a no-fly zone to prevent missile and drone attacks, and halting strikes on civilian infrastructure and energy facilities. A truce at sea could also begin immediately, provided Russia does the same,” Zelensky wrote.
He added that Ukraine hopes to move quickly through the next phases and work with the US on reaching a strong final agreement.
Reflecting on the Oval Office meeting, Zelensky said it “didn’t go as expected” and added, “It’s regrettable things unfolded this way. It’s time to correct the situation. We hope for more constructive cooperation and communication moving forward.”
He also mentioned Ukraine’s willingness to finalize a minerals deal with the US, which had failed to materialize during the Washington meeting. On Tuesday, Ukrainians woke to news that the US was pausing and reassessing its military aid after last week’s diplomatic breakdown.
Zelensky expresses gratitude
Despite the tensions, Zelensky expressed gratitude for American support in his post. “We deeply appreciate everything the US has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence,” he wrote. He also highlighted the significance of the US providing Javelin missiles during Trump’s first term, saying, “We are thankful for this.”
During the Oval Office meeting, US Vice-President JD Vance accused Zelensky of showing a lack of gratitude for military aid. “Have you said ‘thank you’ even once in this meeting?” Vance asked. Trump followed by saying Zelensky wasn’t being “very thankful.”
In response, Zelensky defended his position and later reiterated his gratitude during an interview with Fox News. “I am very thankful to Americans for all their support,” he said.
The meeting was initially meant to conclude with a deal granting the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals.
However, the disagreement, which saw Trump accuse Zelensky of “gambling with World War III,” ended with the Ukrainian delegation leaving without signing the agreement. Trump reportedly told Zelensky, “Come back when you’re ready for peace.”
Minerals Deal Signed
Trump is expected to address Congress later on Tuesday, where he may announce that the minerals deal with Ukraine has now been signed, according to Reuters.
In the aftermath of the Oval Office clash, global leaders rallied behind Zelensky. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised Zelensky’s “firm commitment to pursuing peace,” while a statement from Downing Street emphasized the importance of all sides working toward a lasting resolution.
French President Emmanuel Macron also commended Zelensky’s readiness to resume dialogue with Trump, according to the Elysee Palace. Macron had earlier warned Trump during his own trip to Washington, saying, “You can’t afford to show weakness in dealing with Putin.”
While European leaders voiced support for Zelensky, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg encouraged the Ukrainian president to mend ties with Trump. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte shared similar advice, adding that Zelensky should “respect” Trump’s contributions to Ukraine so far.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin welcomed the US decision to pause military aid, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov suggesting it could be the “best step” toward peace. “If the US stops or pauses its support, this might contribute significantly to the peace process,” Peskov told the BBC.
Trump has yet to comment on the aid suspension or Zelensky’s statement but criticized the Ukrainian leader after his meetings with European leaders over the weekend.
During a Sunday summit hosted by the UK prime minister, Zelensky admitted progress toward ending the war remained distant. Trump later called this “the worst statement Zelensky could have made,” claiming on his Truth Social platform, “This guy doesn’t want peace as long as he has America’s backing.”
