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Donald Trump stated on Friday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin must “get together” to end the war between their nations. His comments marked a shift after previously calling Zelensky a “dictator” for criticizing Ukraine’s exclusion from U.S.-Russia discussions. “President Putin and President Zelensky are going to have to get together. Because you know what? We want to stop killing millions of people,” Trump told media.
Trump also suggested that Ukraine should sign a deal granting the United States preferential access to its vast mineral resources in exchange for continued American support. He emphasized that while Ukrainians are “brave,” the U.S. is spending enormous resources on a conflict.
Volodymyr Zelensky, who had rejected such an agreement, said he hoped for a “fair result.” Trump’s stance has sparked concerns that he may offer concessions to Putin, after he refused to directly blame Russia for the 2022 invasion.
Trump: Ukraine Lacks Bargaining Power
Trump further escalated tensions by stating that Ukraine “doesn’t have any cards” in negotiations. His comments, made at the White House, alarmed allies who fear he may push Ukraine into a weak peace deal. “I’ve had very good talks with Putin, and I’ve had not such good talks with Ukraine. They don’t have any cards,” he said.
He also downplayed Ukraine’s role in diplomatic efforts, and said that it was not “very important” for Zelensky to be included in U.S.-Russia discussions.
While French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer prepare for discussions in Washington next week, Trump accused them of doing nothing to stop the war. Macron responded, stating that leaders “can’t be weak with President Putin.”
Russia’s military too announced the capture of two more villages in eastern Ukraine, intensifying battlefield tensions. In response, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirmed support for Ukraine, vowing that Europe would not decide Ukraine’s future without them.
At UN, the U.S. proposed a resolution calling for a “swift end to the conflict,” omitting any reference to Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Russia’s UN ambassador welcomed this as a “good move,” raising concerns about America’s shifting stance on the war.
