President Trump has stated that he will only resume discussions with Zelensky if the Ukrainian leader demonstrates a genuine desire to end the conflict.
President Trump has laid out the conditions for future talks with Zelensky, emphasizing that further negotiations hinge on a clear commitment to achieving peace.
Following a tense meeting with Zelensky at the White House on Friday, Trump told reporters that the Ukrainian leader was “overplaying his hand” and not showing a real interest in resolving the conflict with Russia.
“Our goal is peace,” Trump said. “We don’t want someone who aligns with a strong power and then avoids making peace because they feel empowered… He seems intent on continuing the fight. We want to stop the deaths.”
The US president contended that continued US military aid would only bolster Zelensky’s position, making him less likely to negotiate a peaceful resolution. “We don’t want a 10-year war,” he stated.
Trump reiterated that an immediate ceasefire should be the top priority, implying that Zelensky is unwilling to consider it. He also mentioned that, unlike Zelensky, Russian President Putin appears willing to pursue peace, and he insisted that US policy should prioritize de-escalation over prolonging the conflict.
When asked if he explicitly told Zelensky to leave the White House, Trump avoided a direct answer. “I think you know the answer,” he responded, adding that Zelensky “wants to return immediately, but I can’t allow that.”
“`