Zelensky Calls US Meeting with Trump "Regrettable" Amid Aid Controversy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly addressed the recent tensions during his meeting with Donald Trump, denouncing the fallout headlined by the US military aid pause, underscoring Ukraine's readiness for cooperation and peace negotiations.

In his latest remarks, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine described his recent Oval Office encounter with former President Donald Trump as "regrettable," following the announcement that the US would be pausing military assistance to Ukraine. This statement comes shortly after a heated exchange during the White House meeting that ended without the intended signing of a crucial minerals agreement.

Zelensky took to social media platform X to express his disappointment, revealing that the meeting “did not go the way it was supposed to be.” He emphasized the importance of peace for Ukraine, insisting that "nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians," responding directly to Trump's comments that portrayed him as unwilling to negotiate.

The backdrop of this confrontation is a recent decision by the Biden administration to halt military aid to Kyiv, raising eyebrows in Ukraine. In his post, Zelensky maintained that his government "stands ready to work under President Trump's strong leadership to achieve lasting peace" and acknowledged the history of US support since the provision of Javelin missiles during Trump's presidency.

The meeting saw Vice-President JD Vance criticizing Zelensky for perceived ingratitude toward the military backing provided by the US. Following the charged discussions, Trump reportedly told Zelensky to return when he was ready for peace, resulting in the abrupt departure of the Ukrainian delegation without signing the anticipated deal granting the US access to valuable rare earth minerals.

Zelensky, expressing his continued commitment to the agreement on minerals and security, reiterated Ukraine's readiness to finalize the deal quickly and in any conducive format, viewing it as a vital step toward enhanced security guarantees.

In the subsequent days, Zelensky also attended a summit hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where discussions aimed at solidifying Western support for Ukraine took place. However, a post-meeting statement by Zelensky indicated that a resolution to the ongoing conflict with Russia remains a distant prospect, which Trump criticized as detrimental to peace efforts.

Zelensky appeared to reference a suggestion from France regarding a potential one-month ceasefire, asserting Ukraine’s willingness to hasten steps toward peace, including immediate actions like a prisoner release and a truce from missile attacks. The tension surrounding US military aid and its implications for Ukraine's sovereignty and war efforts continue to loom large as international relations evolve.