Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that his recent Oval Office meeting with US President Donald Trump “did not go the way it was supposed to,” describing the encounter as “regrettable” while reaffirming Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate an end to the conflict.
“I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace,” Zelensky posted on X, addressing the high-stakes meeting. Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelensky during the discussion, accusing him of “gambling with World War Three” and warning, “Your country is in big trouble.”
“Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be,” Zelensky wrote in Tuesday’s post. “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.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took part in a plenary session during the Securing Our Future Summit on Ukraine and European security at Lancaster House in London on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
“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 hope Zelensky’s statement may help mend Kyiv’s strained relations with the White House. However, the tense Oval Office meeting underscored how fractured the relationship has become.
In his statement, Zelensky also confirmed that Ukraine is prepared to finalize a minerals deal initially scheduled for signing last Friday, before the dispute led to his premature departure from the White House.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
“Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it at 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.
Zelensky further outlined initial steps toward a potential ceasefire. “We are ready to work fast to end the war, and the first stages could be the release of prisoners and a truce in the sky—banning missiles, long-range drones, and bombs targeting energy and other civilian infrastructure—as well as a truce at sea, if Russia reciprocates,” he stated.
“Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the US to agree on a strong final deal.”
This framework aligns closely with a proposal from French President Emmanuel Macron, following a summit of Western leaders in London on Sunday, amid growing European concerns about Ukraine’s future.
“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,” Zelensky added.
Trump’s response to Zelensky’s remarks and proposals remains uncertain. However, Kyiv’s extensive statement appears to be a deliberate attempt to assert its stance in ongoing discussions about the war’s resolution. The Trump administration recently opened direct talks with Russia but did not include Ukraine in those discussions.
On Monday, Trump ordered a halt on US military aid shipments to Ukraine, a move that could significantly impact the country’s military operations.
According to an official, the pause will remain in effect until Trump determines that Zelensky has demonstrated a commitment to pursuing peace negotiations—effectively using military assistance as leverage to push Ukraine to the bargaining table.
