In brief
In a detailed response on social media, Zelensky addressed the aftermath of a frayed diplomatic exchange with Trump that coincided with the US's announcement of a pause in military aid to Ukraine.
Zelensky said, "Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be," sharing his regret over the outcome of the Oval Office discussions. The Ukrainian President reiterated his commitment to peace, emphasizing, "Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians," after Trump claimed Zelensky was not ready to engage in negotiations.As Ukraine reacted to news of the US halting its military assistance while evaluating previous commitments, Zelensky used his social media platform to affirm his readiness to collaborate with Trump, stating, "We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence." He pointed out the historical significance of past military support, recalling the US provision of Javelin missiles under the Trump administration.In the course of the meeting, Vice-President JD Vance chided Zelensky for perceived ingratitude towards the US military support. Zelensky concluded his remarks by emphasizing the urgency for constructive communication to salvage future US-Ukraine cooperation.The discussions were initially poised to culminate in a deal granting the US access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals. Following the confrontation—which saw Trump accusing Zelensky of "gambling with World War III"—the Ukrainian delegation exited without finalizing the agreement. Trump controversially told Zelensky to "come back when you're ready for peace."Zelensky further indicated, however, that he remained keen to sign the minerals deal at any suitable time, viewing it as integral to enhanced security for Ukraine. He noted, “We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively.”Meanwhile, Trump has refrained from directly addressing the aid pause or Zelensky's recent statements, instead criticizing the Ukrainian leader for remarks made after a support summit with European allies. Following the weekend discussion, Zelensky had remarked on the difficulty of reaching a peace deal, prompting Trump to label his statement as one of the worst possible.Zelensky's latest comment referenced a potential French proposal for a one-month ceasefire, highlighting his readiness to initiate steps toward de-escalation and collaboration with the US for a definitive agreement to end the ongoing conflict.
