Zelensky at the Oval Office PHOTO: Getty Images
PHOTO: Getty Images
President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, said in a statement Tuesday that his Oval Office meeting last week with US President Donald Trump “did not go the way it was supposed to,” describing it as regrettable.
Despite that, he insists that Ukraine is ready to negotiate.
“I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace,” Zelensky said on X. “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. 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.
“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,” Zelensky said.
Zelensky also said Ukraine is ready to sign a deal on Ukraine’s minerals, which was meant to be signed on Friday until the disastrous Oval Office meeting led to Zelensky being told to leave the White House.
The framework that Zelensky laid out for a peace agreement is similar to the plan proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron after Sunday’s summit of Western leaders.
“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,” he said.
