Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged on Tuesday that his heated meeting with President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance in the Oval Office was "regrettable," as Ukraine faces a new pause on U.S. military aid. In a notable shift in tone, Zelensky signaled Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate a peace deal with Russia.
A Contentious Meeting in Washington
The meeting, held at the White House last Friday, was expected to solidify U.S. support for Ukraine and secure an economic deal granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals in exchange for security assurances. Instead, tensions flared when Zelensky questioned Vance’s position on negotiations with Russia, particularly in light of past broken agreements by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people! You’re gambling with World War III!” Trump reportedly told Zelensky, as the two leaders sat side by side in the Oval Office.
Vance, a close Trump ally, echoed the frustration, chastising Zelensky for not expressing sufficient gratitude to the U.S. and pointing to his October visit to Pennsylvania, where Zelensky had campaigned alongside opposition leaders.
“Have you said ‘thank you’ once?” Vance asked. “Offer some words of appreciation for the United States of America and the president who’s trying to save your country.”
The meeting soured from there, and on Monday, the Trump administration announced that all military aid to Ukraine would be suspended until Zelensky demonstrated a genuine commitment to peace talks.
Zelensky’s Response: A Call for Negotiations
In a social media post on X, Zelensky sought to mend relations, saying, “Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be. It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right.”
He continued, “None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians.”
The statement marks a notable departure from Zelensky’s previous stance. Just days earlier, he had declared a peace deal was “still very, very far away,” despite Trump’s push for a cease-fire.
Trump, however, remained unconvinced, taking to Truth Social to criticize Zelensky’s past reluctance to engage in negotiations. “This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelensky, and America will not put up with it for much longer!” Trump wrote.
He continued, “It is what I was saying, this guy doesn’t want there to be Peace as long as he has America’s backing... Probably not a great statement to have been made in terms of a show of strength against Russia. What are they thinking?”
A Path Forward: Diplomacy and Economic Agreements
Following the White House meeting, Zelensky attempted to smooth relations by offering a subdued apology during an interview on Fox News before heading to Europe. There, he met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss a potential cease-fire plan that Ukraine, the U.K., and France would present to the U.S.
Despite the turmoil, Zelensky remains open to finalizing the minerals deal with the U.S., seeing it as a crucial step toward Ukraine’s long-term security.
“Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it at any time and in any convenient format,” Zelensky stated. “We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively.”
Senator Vance, speaking to Fox News' Sean Hannity, emphasized that the Trump administration is committed to achieving peace—so long as Zelensky comes to the table in good faith. However, a sticking point remains: the U.S. is expecting a more formal apology from Zelensky before moving forward with negotiations.
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