Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that he believes the country’s relationship with the United States can be repaired following a tense meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
Zelensky also mentioned he would visit the U.S. if invited by President Trump to have a meaningful conversation. “If there’s a need to address real issues and take decisive action, I will come,” Bloomberg quoted him saying.
After meeting with European leaders on Sunday, Zelensky spoke to reporters at the London airport, expressing optimism about U.S.-Ukraine relations. “As for mending the relationship, I believe it will continue,” he said.
On Monday, Zelensky emphasized the importance of diplomacy in ending the ongoing three-year war with Russia. He voiced his hope for continued U.S. support in achieving peace. “We must focus on real diplomatic efforts to bring this war to an end as soon as possible,” he wrote on X.
He added, “We’re working closely with the U.S. and our European allies, and we count on American support to achieve peace. The sooner we secure peace, the better.”
These comments came after President Trump hinted at growing impatience with Ukraine’s leadership. This followed an Associated Press report quoting Zelensky over the weekend, stating that the war’s resolution seemed “very, very far away.”
Trump Angry Over Zelensky’s Comments
Later on Monday, Mr. Trump posted a link to the AP’s story covering Zelenskyy’s comments and criticized the Ukrainian leader.
“This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!” Mr. Trump said.
“It is what I was saying, this guy doesn’t want there to be Peace as long as he has America’s backing and, Europe, in the meeting they had with Zelenskyy, stated flatly that they cannot do the job without the U.S. – Probably not a great statement to have been made in terms of a show of strength against Russia. What are they thinking?”
Zelensky attended a weekend meeting with European allies aimed at developing a strategy to resolve the conflict. This came just two days after discussions with Trump in Washington ended on a bitter note.
Later, on Telegram, Zelensky highlighted the importance of unity among Ukraine’s partners, including the U.S., after speaking with leaders of the Baltic States, who were not present at Sunday’s European summit in London.
He said he updated them about the meeting’s outcomes and reiterated the necessity of security guarantees as part of any peace agreement. “We need to prepare an action plan that moves us closer to real security commitments. There are specific ideas on the table, and we’ll keep working on them,” he wrote.
Ready to sign a minerals deal
He also stressed the value of strong alliances. “Our unity with all partners is key to ending the war quickly and ensuring lasting peace,” Zelensky said. “Ukraine, Europe, and the U.S. must work together to bring security back to all our people. This really can happen.”
Zelenskyy said Sunday that Ukraine was still willing to sign a minerals deal with the Trump administration, which would grant the U.S. access to Ukraine’s prized natural resources.
Meanwhile, U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said Monday on Fox News that it appeared Zelenskyy was “not ready to discuss peace.” He suggested that if the Ukrainian leader shifted his stance, expressed “regret” over how things played out in Washington, and showed readiness to strike a deal involving Ukraine’s minerals, an agreement between Kyiv and Washington could become possible.
Waltz even hinted that such a deal might come together in time for Mr. Trump to announce it during his national address on Tuesday night.
“We’d definitely like to see that happen,” Waltz said.
Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that “an economic deal is impossible without a peace agreement.” He criticized Zelenskyy for disrupting the process by attempting “to rehash old issues publicly” during his meeting in the Oval Office.
