VOLODYMYR Zelensky has said he is ready to work “under Donald Trump” and shared that he “regrets” his brutal Oval Office row with the President.
The brave Ukrainian leader has also shared how he thinks fighting with Russia could come to an end and the sides could reach the negotiating table.
Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump got into a shouting match in the Oval Office on FridayEPA
Ukrainian troops fire a howitzerEPA
Zelensky prepares to meet European leaders on SundayPA
Zelensky said on Tuesday afternoon in a post on social media that he is willing to work “under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts”.
He said: “None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer.”
Zelensky appears to have bent to Trump’s will – who has demanded that Kyiv follow his lead on getting to peace.
It follows the two leaders’ shouting match in the Oval Office on Friday where Trump told Zelensky he was “gambling with World War Three” before booting him out.
Trump has accused Zelensky of deliberately dragging out the war and insisted that a peace agreement with Russia “could be made very fast” – if Kyiv was willing to negotiate.
In the X post, Zelensky also addressed the fiery meeting directly saying it was “regrettable” how it happened.
He said: “Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be.”
Zelensky continued: “We do really 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.”
On Monday night, Trump also paused all military aid for Ukraine.
Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, the United States has been Ukraine’s biggest backer, providing $65.9 billion in military support.
The aid freeze has already had immediate battlefield consequences, as shipments of weapons in transit were halted today.
Zelensky also said that he is willing to sign the minerals deal that was due to be inked at the White House on Friday but when unsigned after he was booted out.
Trump on Monday said he would still be willing to sign the “great deal”.
On Monday, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the minerals deal was not enough of a security guarantee on its own for Kyiv.
He told Parliament that the US still needed to provide a backstop to any European force of peacekeepers in the country.
Sir Keir told MPs Britain needs to “lead from the front” and that the European “coalition of the willing” has been formed to avoid moving “at the speed of the most reluctant and that will be too slow”.
Zelensky also laid out his own plan in the post to get to a ceasefire and get the parties to the negotiating table.
He said: “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.”
Zelensky shared his plan on X
Ukrinform / PolarisUkrainian soldiers shoot from a T-72 tank[/caption]
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