Zelenskyy speaks out with new statement after tense meeting with Trump at White House
Topics: Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US News, Politics, Ukraine
Emily Brown
Featured Image Credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US News, Politics, Ukraine
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a statement admitting his meeting with Donald Trump 'did not go the way it was supposed to'.
Zelenskyy took to Twitter to share a statement today (March 4), after he was asked to leave the White House early following his meeting with Trump on February 28; a meeting intended to pre-empt a minerals deal.
During the meeting, Trump accused Zelenskyy of 'gambling with the lives of millions of people' as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues.
"You're gambling with World War Three, and what you're doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that's backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have," Trump said.
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After Zelenskyy left the White House, Trump announced that he was halting US aid for Ukraine, with White House officials saying the pause would stay in place until Trump believes Zelenskyy is committed to seeking peace talks.
Now, the Ukrainian president has shared a statement in which he reiterated 'Ukraine’s commitment to peace' and made clear that no one wants an 'endless war'.
He continued: "Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.
"We are ready to work fast to end the war, and the first stages could be the release of prisoners and truce in the sky — ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on energy and other civilian infrastructure — and truce in the sea immediately, if Russia will do the same.
"Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the US to agree a strong final deal."
Zelenskyy went on to say that his country really does 'value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence'.
"And we remember the moment when things changed when President Trump provided Ukraine with Javelins. We are grateful for this," he continued.
"Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be. It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.
"Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it in any time and in any convenient format. We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively."