Shortly after President Donald Trump froze U.S. aid to Ukraine amidst the ongoing war, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a public attempt to smooth over tensions with the American leader. In a statement released on X, Zelenskyy acknowledged that the meeting in Washington had not gone as planned and conveyed his desire to rebuild a positive working relationship with Trump. “Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be,” he wrote. “It is regrettable that it happened this way.” He added, “It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.”
Zelenskyy concluded his message with a hopeful note, asking Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to reinstate the paused minerals deal that had been taken off the table following the contentious meeting. “Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it in any time and in any convenient format,” he said. “We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively.”
The tense exchange was triggered by accusations from Trump, who criticized Zelenskyy for failing to appreciate the U.S. administration’s efforts to foster peace in Ukraine and bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. Trump expressed that such efforts would be hindered if Zelenskyy continued to criticize Putin, a key figure in any potential peace negotiations. In response, Zelenskyy restated Ukraine’s desire for peace. “I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace,” he said at the beginning of his statement, following Trump’s cutoff of talks. Zelenskyy reiterated, “None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians.”
Trump had earlier criticized Zelenskyy’s pessimistic remarks regarding the long-term nature of the war with Russia. In his response, Zelenskyy emphasized his readiness to collaborate for a lasting peace under Trump’s leadership. “My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts,” he stated. He outlined initial steps toward peace, including the potential release of prisoners, a ban on missiles, long-range drones, and attacks on civilian infrastructure, and a ceasefire at sea, provided Russia reciprocates. “Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the US to agree a strong final deal.”
Zelenskyy also expressed his gratitude to the United States for its support, a sentiment that had become a point of contention during the Oval Office confrontation. “We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence,” Zelenskyy wrote. “And we remember the moment when things changed when President Trump provided Ukraine with Javelins [missiles]. We are grateful for this.”
{Matzav.com}