Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy firmly advised US President Donald Trump that there can be no compromise with Russian President Vladimir Putin on ending the war, citing Putin’s history of war crimes.
When they sat together at the White House, Zelenskyy exhibited before Trump photo evidence of presumed Russian atrocities like deporting children in Ukraine. “Crazy Russians,” he commented, justifying his conviction that negotiations need not be held at the expense of Ukraine. Trump, all the same, appealed to Ukraine to make concessions with Moscow for an agreement of peace.
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And in spite of recent tensions, Zelenskyy also said, “I think President Trump is on our side.” This follows weeks of speculation that Trump was leaning Russia’s way, following his recent comments calling Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections” and intimating that Ukraine had no bargaining power. Trump has since walked back his comments, looking surprised at himself, saying, “Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that. Next question.”
In a bid to alleviate tensions, the White House greeted Zelenskyy with a color guard when he arrived. The two leaders met at the Oval Office prior to signing an accord providing the US access to Ukraine’s mineral resources, such as rare-earth elements key to economic revival. Trump characterized the agreement as “very fair.”
Zelenskyy also pushed Trump for the need for US security assistance in any future peacekeeping in Europe. In turn, Trump’s changing position on Ukraine has upset Kyiv and European allies because he now seems to be presenting himself as an intermediary between Putin and Zelenskyy. He proposed a ceasefire was “fairly close” without elaborating.
Prior to closing their meeting, Zelenskyy personally invited Trump to Ukraine, “You have to come and look.”
