Washington, DC [US]: A heated exchange erupted between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their Oval Office meeting, leading to an abrupt end to discussions. The Ukrainian leader left the White House earlier than planned, skipping both a scheduled press conference and the signing of a much-anticipated minerals agreement.
Trump Pushes for Immediate Ceasefire, Zelenskyy Stands Firm
Trump criticized Zelenskyy’s refusal to pursue an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Trump insisted:
“He (Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy) says that he wants to come back right now, but I can’t do that…They should have an immediate ceasefire…A ceasefire could take place immediately. If you want to end the war, you sign up for an agreement that’s going to take a period of time. It takes time.”
He reiterated his stance, adding:
“I want it to end immediately, and I think if you had a ceasefire, it would be a ceasefire, a real one that would end it.”
According to Trump, Zelenskyy’s reluctance to negotiate peace stems from the strong support Ukraine receives from the United States.
“Well, all of a sudden, he is a big shot because he has the US on his side. Either we’re going to end it or let him fight it out, and if he fights it out, it’s not going to be pretty easy as without us, he doesn’t win,” Trump remarked.
“Zelenskyy Doesn’t Want Peace,” Claims Trump
Trump went further, accusing Zelenskyy of prolonging the war.
“That was not a man (Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy) that wanted to make peace, and I am only interested if he (Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy) wants to end the bloodshed.”
He argued that instead of focusing on condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zelenskyy should declare a willingness to negotiate.
“Zelenskyy got to say, I want to make peace. He doesn’t have to stand there and say about Putin this, Putin that, and all negative things. He’s got to say, I want to make peace. I don’t want to fight a war any longer, his people are dying,” Trump added.
Trump: “Zelenskyy Lacks the Cards to End the War”
Trump expressed doubt over Ukraine’s ability to win the war outright, arguing that only negotiations could bring an end to the conflict.
“I just want to get a deal done, and if the deal happens, good. But you can’t embolden somebody that does not have the cards.”
He further warned that U.S. support for Ukraine should not be unconditional:
“We are not going to keep fighting. We are going to get the war done or let them go and see what happens. Let them fight it out…I want anybody that’s going to make peace, if he is capable of making peace, which he may or may not be, but I want somebody that’s going to make peace again. He doesn’t have the cards. When we sign up, he’s got all of the cards; that doesn’t mean he can fight. He’s got to stop the fighting, stop the death. He is losing hundreds of thousands of soldiers. It’s time to stop the death.”
Vance Pushes Diplomacy, Zelenskyy Responds
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who was present during the meeting, emphasized that diplomacy is essential to ending the war. He also advised Zelenskyy to be more appreciative of Trump’s efforts in preventing Ukraine from being completely overrun by Russia.
In response, Zelenskyy took to X (formerly Twitter) to reaffirm Ukraine’s position:
“Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.”