Trump criticizes Zelensky for saying war’s end is distant
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent statement that a peace deal with Russia remains “very far away” has sparked a furious response from U.S. President Donald Trump. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump criticized Zelensky’s remarks, stating that “America will not put up with it for much longer” and accusing the Ukrainian leader of deliberately obstructing peace negotiations.
The controversy follows a high-profile summit in London, where European leaders convened to discuss Ukraine’s defense strategy and explore diplomatic solutions to the war. Hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the meeting aimed to strengthen Western support for Ukraine and coordinate efforts to deter future Russian aggression. Britain and France proposed a European-led security initiative to guarantee Ukraine’s defense in the event of a peace agreement.
Following the summit, Zelensky reiterated that a resolution to the war remained distant but expressed confidence in continued U.S. support despite tensions with Trump. “I believe that Ukraine has a strong enough partnership with the United States of America,” he stated. However, Trump quickly rebuked Zelensky’s comments, calling them “the worst statement that could have been made” and reaffirming his position that Ukraine, not Russia, was prolonging the conflict.
The disagreement intensified during an Oval Office meeting between Trump and Zelensky just days before the summit. During their exchange, Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance openly criticized Zelensky’s perceived lack of gratitude for American military and financial aid. At one point, Vance pointedly told Zelensky, “Just say thank you,” highlighting growing frustration within the Trump administration over U.S. support for Ukraine. The heated discussion led to the collapse of a proposed agreement granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth mineral deposits, a deal that had been under negotiation for months.
Despite the diplomatic fallout, Trump indicated in a press conference on Monday that he did not consider the minerals deal entirely abandoned. He stated that discussions were ongoing and promised an update on the matter the following day.
Meanwhile, European leaders have pushed forward with plans for a “coalition of the willing” to safeguard Ukraine. The UK and France have suggested deploying military personnel, including troops and air support, to ensure that Russia does not launch another invasion following a peace settlement. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that several European nations supported the initiative but emphasized that each country would need to make its own determination on involvement. Scandinavian nations have reportedly shown openness to the proposal, contingent on U.S. backing.
Trump’s stance on the war has marked a stark departure from previous U.S. policy. Unlike his predecessors, he has engaged directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin, including a recent lengthy phone call and behind-the-scenes negotiations that notably excluded Ukraine. His assertion that Ukraine, rather than Russia, initiated the war has unsettled Western allies, further complicating transatlantic efforts to present a united front against Moscow.
As diplomatic tensions continue to rise, Ukraine’s fate hangs in the balance, with growing uncertainty over future U.S. involvement and European efforts to fortify Ukraine’s security in the face of an ongoing war.