Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that his Oval Office meeting with US President Donald Trump last week “did not go the way it was supposed to,” calling the tense discussion “regrettable” and emphasizing that Ukraine is prepared to engage in negotiations to end the conflict.
“I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace,” Zelensky wrote on X, directly referencing his notable meeting with Trump. During the discussion, Trump and Vice President JD Vance harshly criticized Zelensky, accusing him of “gambling with World War Three” and warning: “Your country is in big trouble.”
Reflecting on the meeting, Zelensky reiterated in a post on X on Tuesday: “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.”
On Sunday, March 2, 2025, Zelensky participated in a plenary session at Lancaster House in London during the Securing Our Future Summit on Ukraine and European security.
“None of us wants an endless war,” he added. “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.”
Western leaders may view Zelensky’s remarks as an attempt to ease tensions between Kyiv and the White House, but the turbulent Oval Office encounter highlighted the growing strain in their relationship.
In his statement on Tuesday, Zelensky also confirmed Ukraine’s readiness to finalize a minerals agreement, which was initially set to be signed on Friday before the meeting ended abruptly, leading to his departure from the White House.
“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,” he said.
He also made an unusual direct appeal concerning the structure of a potential ceasefire. “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,” Zelensky stated. “Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the US to agree a strong final deal.”
This proposed framework closely aligns with the plan introduced by French President Emmanuel Macron following Sunday’s summit of Western leaders in London, where concerns over Ukraine’s future were a key topic.
Acknowledging past support from the US, Zelensky expressed appreciation by stating, “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.”
Trump’s reaction to Zelensky’s proposals and his reflections on the White House visit remains uncertain. However, Kyiv’s detailed statement signals an effort to assert its position in discussions about the conflict’s resolution, especially after the Trump administration began direct talks with Russia last month, excluding Ukraine from the negotiations.
On Monday, Trump ordered a temporary halt to US military aid shipments to Ukraine, a move that could severely impact the country’s military capabilities. The pause, which followed a series of meetings with top national security officials, will remain in effect until Trump determines that Zelensky has committed to pursuing peace talks, according to one official. This decision effectively pressures Ukraine into negotiations by linking continued military support to a demonstrated willingness to seek a diplomatic resolution.
