In a strong rebuke following a high-stakes White House meeting, President Donald Trump declared that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is “not ready for peace” and accused him of disrespecting the Oval Office.
“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 said in a statement.
Trump suggested that Zelenskyy sees U.S. involvement as leverage in negotiations, stating, “He feels our involvement gives him a big advantage… I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE.”
The statement comes amid ongoing debates over continued U.S. support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. Trump’s comments suggest a potential shift in policy, emphasizing negotiation rather than military aid.
Zelenskyy has not yet responded publicly to Trump’s remarks, but the meeting’s fallout signals heightened tensions between the two leaders. Trump made it clear that Zelenskyy would not be welcomed back until he was “ready for peace.”
The diplomatic standoff raises questions about the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations and whether the Biden administration will intervene to maintain America’s role in the conflict.
