US President Donald Trump has outlined new conditions for future negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, stating that further discussions 'hinge on a clear commitment to peace'.
During a press conference following a tense meeting with Zelensky at the White House on Friday, Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of “overplaying his hand” and failing to demonstrate a genuine willingness to end the conflict with Russia.
“We’re looking for peace,” Trump stated. “We’re not looking for somebody that’s going to sign up a strong power and then not make peace because they feel emboldened… He’s looking to go on and fight, fight, fight. We’re looking to end the deaths.”
Trump further claimed, “You saw what I saw today. This man wants to get us signed up and keep fighting. And we’re not doing that, not for this country.”
Meanwhile, Zelensky has refused to apologise for his verbal spat with Trump.
Also read: Trump-Zelenskyy White House clash: What went down? Watch
According to the US President, continued American military assistance would only embolden Zelensky, making him less inclined to negotiate a peace deal.
“We’re not looking for somebody that’s going to sign up a strong power and then not make peace because they feel emboldened,” Trump said. “We’re not looking to go into a 10-year war.”
Trump reiterated that a ceasefire should be an immediate priority, suggesting that Zelensky was unwilling to consider one for Ukraine.
Expressing his dissatisfaction with the Ukrainian leader’s stance, Trump remarked that Russian President Vladimir Putin seemed more willing to pursue peace, adding that US policy should focus on de-escalation rather than prolonging hostilities.
When asked whether he had ordered Zelensky to leave the White House, Trump did not respond directly but said, “I think you know the answer to that,” adding that Zelensky “wants to come back right now, but I can’t do that.”
Summing up the US position, Trump made it clear that Washington would not continue to back Ukraine unless Zelensky took tangible steps towards peace.
“Let me tell you… You saw what I saw today. That was not a man that wanted to make peace,” he stated. “And I’m only interested if he wants to end the bloodshed.”
Also read: Zelenskyy should apologise for Oval Office clash: Rubio
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