U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to “get together” to negotiate an end to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. His remarks on Friday marked a departure from his recent statements labeling Zelensky a “dictator” and highlighted his evolving stance on the conflict.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump reiterated the need to halt the war, saying, “President Putin and President Zelensky are going to have to get together. Because you know what? We want to stop killing millions of people.” His comments follow Zelensky’s concerns that Ukraine was being excluded from talks between U.S. and Russian officials.
However, Trump’s approach to Ukraine has raised concerns among U.S. allies, as he continues to push for economic compensation in exchange for Washington’s military aid. He emphasized that Ukraine should provide U.S. companies preferential access to its vast mineral resources as a form of repayment for the billions of dollars in aid it has received.
“They’re very brave, in every way you can imagine. But we are spending our treasure on some country that’s very, very far away,” Trump said. The proposal has met resistance from Kyiv, with Zelensky rejecting the deal but expressing hope for a “fair result” in negotiations.
Ukraine at a ‘Disadvantage’
Trump further alarmed Ukraine and its allies by asserting that Kyiv had little leverage in negotiations. “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 remarked, suggesting that Ukraine’s position was weak.
He also declined to place direct blame on Russia for the February 2022 invasion, saying, “Putin attacked, but they shouldn’t have let him attack.” He went on to argue that Putin faced no significant pressure to negotiate, adding, “He doesn’t have to make a deal, because if he wanted, he’d get the whole country.”
European Concerns Grow
Trump’s comments have sparked concerns among European leaders, who fear he may be willing to make concessions to Putin at Ukraine’s expense. French President Emmanuel Macron, who is set to visit the White House next week alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, warned, “You can’t be weak with President Putin.”
Meanwhile, Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirmed Europe’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, stating, “We won’t leave Ukraine alone and decide things over their heads.”
As Trump pushes for a ceasefire, fighting continues on the ground, with Russia claiming to have captured more territory in eastern Ukraine. With shifting U.S. policy, European leaders now face increased pressure to take a more active role in securing Ukraine’s future.
