Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently expressed regret after a tense meeting with President Trump and Vice President Vance. The encounter, which took place in the Oval Office, did not go as planned and led to diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Zelensky acknowledged the difficulties of the meeting, saying, “It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right.” He took the opportunity to thank the United States for its previous support to Ukraine, which was a significant topic during their discussions.
Zelensky emphasized his commitment to working alongside Trump, stating his desire for a lasting peace. This reflects a shift towards the Trump administration’s view that the U.S. should lead peace negotiations with Russia. He also revised his earlier comments about the timeline for achieving peace, expressing a wish to expedite the process and collaborate with the U.S. to finalize a strong agreement.
This new diplomatic stance comes shortly after Trump announced a halt to all American aid to Ukraine. He made this decision following the diplomatic fallout from their meeting. Trump stated on Truth Social that he believes Zelensky is not ready for peace negotiations while receiving U.S. support, claiming it gives Ukraine an advantage. He indicated that Zelensky could return for discussions when he is prepared to pursue peace.
These developments highlight the ongoing complexities in U.S.-Ukraine relations and the challenges both leaders face in navigating their respective positions on peace with Russia.