‘Zelenskyy Not Ready For Peace’ — Trump Says After White House Argument
U.S. President Donald Trump says his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is not ready for peace in the ongoing war with Russia.
Trump stated this after an argument with Zelenskyy at the Oval Office during their meeting on Friday.
The meeting was called to sign a deal that would give the United States access to Ukrainian rare earth and critical minerals. Trump had said the leaders would sign it at an afternoon event at the White House.
However, things grew contentious, with Trump telling Zelenskyy that “you’re not acting at all thankful” for the support his country had received from the US
Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of being disrespectful and “gambling with World War III” as the exchange continued in front of reporters.
“Gonna be a tough deal to make because the attitudes have to change,” Trump said.
Vice President J.D. Vance defended Trump’s position, calling it “diplomacy” and urging Zelenskyy to acknowledge American contributions.
“Offer some words of appreciation for the United States and the president who’s trying to save your country,” Vance said.
Zelenskyy fired back, challenging U.S. officials to visit Ukraine and witness the devastation firsthand.
“Have you ever been to Ukraine? Have you seen the problems we have? Come once.
“During the war, everybody has problems, even you. But you have a nice ocean and don’t feel it now. But you will feel it in the future. God bless, you will not have war,” Zelenskyy said.
Trump interrupted, dismissing his remark saying: “Don’t tell us what we’re gonna feel. We’re trying to solve a problem.”
Things eventually broke down leading to Zelenskyy and Ukrainian officials leaving Washington empty-handed.
Following the meeting, Trump in a post on his Truth Social platform said Zelenskyy would not be welcomed back to the White House until he was “ready for peace.”
“We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure,” Trump posted.
“It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage—I want PEACE,” he said.
Trump had met with European leaders; French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had visited Washington earlier in the week to advocate for a continued security agreement with Ukraine.
While those meetings were filled with pleasantries, Trump’s encounter with Zelenskyy ended in frustration and uncertainty.
‘Zelenskyy Not Ready For Peace’ — Trump Says After White House Argument is first published on The Whistler Newspaper