Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is reaching out to former President Donald Trump in a bid to repair their relationship and seek an end to the ongoing war with Russia. In a recent social media post, Zelenskyy expressed his desire to mend ties, especially after a tense meeting with Trump at the Oval Office last Friday, which he described as "regrettable."
During the encounter, it was Trump and his deputy, JD Vance, who criticized Zelenskyy, leading to a fallout that some in the U.S. administration have suggested should be addressed with an apology. However, Zelenskyy stopped short of that, instead emphasizing the need to "make things right."
Zelenskyy also outlined a vision for how the war with Russia could come to a close. He firmly stated that Ukraine is ready to negotiate and is committed to peace. He pushed back against claims from some of Trump’s allies, including Elon Musk, who suggested that Ukraine was seeking an endless conflict.
He proposed initial steps towards peace, which could include a prisoner exchange and a ceasefire that would ban missile strikes and attacks on civilian infrastructure. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is ready to act quickly to end hostilities, provided Russia reciprocates.
In his message, Zelenskyy praised Trump’s "strong leadership" and reiterated his gratitude for previous American support, addressing concerns that he had not shown enough appreciation. This gesture seems aimed at appealing to Trump’s sense of leadership and potentially reopening channels of military assistance from the U.S. to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy also mentioned Ukraine’s readiness to sign a crucial minerals deal with the United States, aligning with Trump’s interests. His public outreach appears to be a strategic move to realign his relationship with Trump and promote a peaceful resolution to a conflict that has caused significant suffering in Ukraine.
The key now is how Trump will respond to Zelenskyy’s olive branch. Another critical factor is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reaction and whether he would agree to a limited ceasefire in a war that he initiated and seems reluctant to end.