Zelensky Seeks to Mend Ties with Trump, Calls for Lasting Peace in Ukraine
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his desire to repair relations with US President Donald Trump and collaborate under his leadership to achieve enduring peace in Ukraine.
In his first comments following Trump’s decision to halt military aid to Ukraine, Zelensky described their public disagreement as “regrettable” and reaffirmed his commitment to signing a critical minerals deal with the United States.
Zelensky outlined a potential initial peace plan, including the release of prisoners of war and a truce in air and sea operations, which would ban missile use, long-range drones, and attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure. This proposal, which came from European leaders on Monday, would set the stage for further negotiations with Washington toward a comprehensive peace agreement.
Tensions between Kyiv and Washington have escalated since a clash in the Oval Office between Zelensky and Trump last week, which led to a suspension of essential military assistance.
“My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to secure a peace that lasts,” Zelensky wrote in an English-language post on X.
Reflecting on the meeting, Zelensky acknowledged that it did not proceed as expected, stressing the need to “make things right.” He also addressed Trump’s previous comments suggesting Zelensky’s reluctance for a peace deal, asserting that neither side desires an “endless war.”
Zelensky instructed Ukrainian officials to reach out to their US counterparts to clarify the details of the aid freeze. “I have asked our defense minister, intelligence chiefs, and diplomats to contact the United States for official information on this matter,” Zelensky said in his evening address to the nation.
Trump’s unexpected move to halt aid has raised concerns in Kyiv and across Europe that the US might be distancing itself from its allies and gravitating toward Russia. The Kremlin has welcomed Trump’s decision, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov suggesting it could pressure Kyiv into peace talks.
Meanwhile, the European Union, excluded from US-Russian negotiations for a potential truce, has intensified efforts to reinforce support for Ukraine. On Tuesday, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled a plan to mobilize €800 billion ($840 billion) to enhance Europe’s defense capabilities and provide immediate military support to Ukraine. An emergency EU summit is scheduled for Thursday to solidify collective European backing.
On the frontlines, Ukrainian soldiers are bracing for further challenges due to the US aid suspension. One anonymous soldier expressed concerns about the impact of limited resources on Ukraine’s defense, saying, “If we have weapons, enough ammunition, infantry, armored vehicles, and aviation — great. If not, then we’re done.”
Poland has noted the immediate effects of the US decision, particularly at a weapons and logistics hub it hosts for Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed reports that the US decision was already affecting supply lines.
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou shared similar concerns, revealing that US military supplies destined for Ukraine were being stopped in transit. France, he said, would work to fill the gap left by the US decision, rallying support for Kyiv from its European partners.
Zelensky’s visit to Washington last week to sign a minerals deal fell through following the Oval Office clash with Trump and Vice President JD Vance. However, Zelensky has reiterated Ukraine’s readiness to finalize the agreement, granting the US preferential access to Ukraine’s natural resources at any time.
With the US opposing Ukraine’s NATO membership, Kyiv is seeking robust security guarantees for a war-ending deal through alternative Western-backed avenues. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer voiced unwavering support for Zelensky in a phone call on Tuesday, emphasizing that no one wanted peace more than Ukraine.
In response to the ongoing crisis, Britain and France are considering proposing a one-month truce between Ukraine and Russia, potentially monitored by peacekeeping troops on the ground. This suggestion, however, was met with ridicule by Vance, who questioned the involvement of countries that had not participated in recent conflicts. His comments sparked a strong backlash from French and British politicians, though Vance later clarified his remarks.
