Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned he was able to work below Donald Trump’s “robust management” to attain a long-lasting peace days after their explosive Oval Workplace assembly.
The Ukrainian president described the White Home showdown as “regrettable” in a prolonged social media submit within the wake of the US saying a pause in army assist to Kyiv.
Zelensky mentioned “it was time to make issues proper”, after Trump had accused him of not being prepared to come back to the negotiating desk.
He additionally reiterated that Ukraine was able to signal a minerals take care of the US, after the failure to take action on the Washington assembly, and outlined a proposal for the way the battle may cease.
Zelensky mentioned Friday’s assembly “didn’t go the best way it was imagined to be”, including: “It’s regrettable that it occurred this manner,” he wrote. “It’s time to make issues proper. We wish future co-operation and communication to be constructive.”
Ukraine woke to the information on Tuesday that the US was “pausing and reviewing” its army assist to the nation after a breakdown in diplomacy final week.
In his submit, Zelensky supplied an overt declaration of gratitude to the US.
“We do actually worth how a lot America has achieved to assist Ukraine keep its sovereignty and independence,” he wrote.
“And we bear in mind the second when issues modified when President Trump supplied Ukraine with Javelins. We’re grateful for this,” he added, referring to the US anti-tank missile system bought to Ukraine throughout Trump’s first administration.
Throughout Friday’s assembly within the Oval Workplace, Vice-President JD Vance accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for the army assist the US had supplied.
“Have you ever mentioned ‘thanks’ as soon as this complete assembly?” Vance mentioned, earlier than Trump advised Zelensky he was not being “very grateful”.
Zelensky defended himself within the assembly, and commenced an interview with Fox Information within the hours afterwards, saying “I am very grateful to Individuals for all of your assist.”
The Oval Workplace assembly between Zelensky and US officers final week was as a consequence of conclude with the 2 events signing a deal that will grant the US entry to uncommon earth minerals in Ukraine.
After the conflict, which noticed Trump accuse Zelensky of “playing with World Battle III”, the Ukrainian delegation left with out signing the deal – Trump advised Zelensky “come again if you’re prepared for peace”.
“We see this settlement as a step towards higher safety and strong safety ensures, and I really hope it would work successfully.”
Zelensky additionally outlined the primary levels of how the battle may very well be ended.
He wrote: “We’re able to work quick to finish the battle, and the primary levels may very well be the discharge of prisoners and truce within the sky – ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on power and different civilian infrastructure – and truce within the sea instantly, if Russia will do the identical.”
“Then we wish to transfer very quick by all subsequent levels and to work with the US to agree a powerful remaining deal.”
Plenty of Ukraine’s allies have commented on the newest from the Ukrainian president, together with Britain’s Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who welcomed Zelensky’s “steadfast dedication to securing peace”.
It’s “important that each one events labored in direction of a long-lasting and safe peace for Ukraine as quickly as doable”, an announcement from No 10 mentioned.
Likewise, French President Emmanuel Macron praised Zelensky’s willingness to “re-engage in dialogue” with Trump, the Elysee Palace mentioned.
Days earlier than his assembly with Zelensky, the US President had met with Macron, who travelled to Washington with a warning to Trump: “You’ll be able to’t be weak within the face of Putin.”
Whereas European leaders rallied behind Zelensky following the conflict, Nato’s secretary common suggested the Ukrainian chief to “discover a method” to revive his relationship with Trump.
Talking to the BBC the next day, Mark Rutte mentioned he had advised him “we’ve got to respect” what Trump has achieved for Ukraine to this point.
Zelensky’s assertion falls in need of an apology to Trump, which these within the US president’s camp had known as for.
In Moscow, Vladimir Putin’s workforce earlier welcomed the US’s pause to army assist as prone to be the “greatest” contribution to peace.
“If the US stops, or pauses these provides, this may in all probability be the perfect contribution to the reason for peace,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov advised the BBC’s Steve Rosenberg.
Trump himself has not commented on the pause to assist, nor Zelensky’s response, nonetheless he did earlier berate the Ukrainian chief following his conferences with European allies on the weekend.
A Sunday summit – hosted by Sir Keir – was meant as a present of assist for Ukraine.
After the assembly, Zelensky mentioned a deal to finish the battle between Ukraine and Russia was “nonetheless very, very distant”.
Trump described this because the “worst assertion that would have been made by Zelensky”, in a submit on his Reality Social platform.
“It’s what I used to be saying, this man does not need there to be peace so long as he has America’s backing,” the president wrote.
