Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed a desire to mend relations with former President Donald Trump, advocating for collaboration under Trump’s leadership to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine. This statement marks Zelensky’s first public remarks following Trump’s abrupt decision to suspend U.S. military aid to Ukraine.
In a post on social media platform X, Zelensky emphasized the urgency of a truce, proposing measures to end the ongoing conflict that has plagued the region for the past three years. He articulated Ukraine’s readiness to engage in negotiations, stating, “Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.”
Zelensky outlined specific terms for a potential truce, including a ban on missile attacks, long-range drones, and bombings targeting energy and other civilian infrastructure. He emphasized that Ukraine is willing to implement these measures concurrently with Russia, urging a coordinated approach to halt hostilities both in the air and at sea.
The context for Zelensky’s remarks stems from a recent confrontation between him and Trump, as well as U.S. Vice President JD Vance, during their meeting in the Oval Office. The encounter highlighted growing tensions between the leaders, following Trump’s branding of Zelensky as a “dictator” and the Ukrainian president’s critique of Trump’s susceptibility to Russian disinformation.
Reflecting on the unexpected outcome of their meeting, Zelensky stated, “Our meeting in Washington did not go the way it was supposed to be. It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.”
Moreover, the Ukrainian leadership expressed interest in formalizing an agreement that would offer the U.S. preferential access to Ukraine’s abundant natural resources and minerals. Zelensky indicated that the deal could be signed “at any time and in any convenient format,” alluding to its intended conclusion during the recent visit to Washington before the diplomatic fallout occurred.
The evolving dynamics between Zelensky and Trump follow a critical period of evolving U.S. foreign policy toward Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict, raising questions about the future of military support and international collaborations aimed at stabilizing the region. As Zelensky navigates these challenges, his latest comments signal a strategic pivot toward engaging with U.S. leadership to foster peace and cooperation.
