After discussions with Russia, Trump addresses the media
Trump has shared insights with journalists regarding the ongoing negotiations with Russia about Ukraine. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The US president expressed increased confidence in mediating a resolution to the Ukraine conflict.
President Donald Trump addressed reporters shortly after significant US-Russia discussions aimed at addressing the Ukraine situation wrapped up in Riyadh on Tuesday. He conveyed his optimism about negotiating a peace agreement and offered criticism of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.
Trump remarked that he felt “much more confident” about the chances for durable peace and emphasized that his primary objective is to “save lives.”
Regarding financial support for Ukraine, Trump indicated that NATO nations and Kiev need to ensure that aid directed to Ukraine is utilized effectively. “They have to pay. They have to find out where the money is going,” he stated.
He mentioned Zelensky's comments from the previous week, saying, “President Zelensky said last week that he doesn’t know where half of the money is that we gave him. Where is it going? I’ve never seen an accounting of it.”
This statement appeared to reference Zelensky’s recent interview with podcaster Lex Fridman, where the Ukrainian leader claimed that Kiev had “not received the half” of the financial assistance promised by the U.S.
On the topic of negotiations, Trump asserted that Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials have no grounds to express grievances about their exclusion from the talks in Riyadh. He expressed disappointment with Kiev’s stance. “Today I heard, ‘We weren’t invited.’ Well, you’ve been there for three years, you should’ve ended it… You should’ve never started it. You could’ve made a deal,” he remarked.
Concerning Zelensky, Trump characterized the Ukrainian leader as extremely unpopular domestically, noting, “The leader in Ukraine – I hate to say it – but he’s down at a 4% approval rating.” He contended that for Ukraine to have a stake at the negotiating table, there should be consideration for a fresh electoral mandate: “wouldn’t the people of Ukraine have to say, ‘It’s been a long time since we’ve had an election.'”
As reported by the New York Times, Zelensky’s approval has fallen to about 50% from the 90% rating he experienced in the early days of the 2022 conflict. With Zelensky’s five-year presidential term set to expire in May 2024, he has declined to call for new elections, citing martial law.
Regarding the potential for international intervention, Trump stated he would support the presence of an EU peacekeeping force in Ukraine if a ceasefire were achieved between Moscow and Kiev. “If they want to do it, that’s great. I’m all for it. I would not object to it at all,” he said, clarifying that US troops would not be part of any peacekeeping efforts.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
President Donald Trump addressed reporters shortly after significant US-Russia discussions aimed at addressing the Ukraine situation wrapped up in Riyadh on Tuesday. He conveyed his optimism about negotiating a peace agreement and offered criticism of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.
Trump remarked that he felt “much more confident” about the chances for durable peace and emphasized that his primary objective is to “save lives.”
Regarding financial support for Ukraine, Trump indicated that NATO nations and Kiev need to ensure that aid directed to Ukraine is utilized effectively. “They have to pay. They have to find out where the money is going,” he stated.
He mentioned Zelensky's comments from the previous week, saying, “President Zelensky said last week that he doesn’t know where half of the money is that we gave him. Where is it going? I’ve never seen an accounting of it.”
This statement appeared to reference Zelensky’s recent interview with podcaster Lex Fridman, where the Ukrainian leader claimed that Kiev had “not received the half” of the financial assistance promised by the U.S.
On the topic of negotiations, Trump asserted that Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials have no grounds to express grievances about their exclusion from the talks in Riyadh. He expressed disappointment with Kiev’s stance. “Today I heard, ‘We weren’t invited.’ Well, you’ve been there for three years, you should’ve ended it… You should’ve never started it. You could’ve made a deal,” he remarked.
Concerning Zelensky, Trump characterized the Ukrainian leader as extremely unpopular domestically, noting, “The leader in Ukraine – I hate to say it – but he’s down at a 4% approval rating.” He contended that for Ukraine to have a stake at the negotiating table, there should be consideration for a fresh electoral mandate: “wouldn’t the people of Ukraine have to say, ‘It’s been a long time since we’ve had an election.'”
As reported by the New York Times, Zelensky’s approval has fallen to about 50% from the 90% rating he experienced in the early days of the 2022 conflict. With Zelensky’s five-year presidential term set to expire in May 2024, he has declined to call for new elections, citing martial law.
Regarding the potential for international intervention, Trump stated he would support the presence of an EU peacekeeping force in Ukraine if a ceasefire were achieved between Moscow and Kiev. “If they want to do it, that’s great. I’m all for it. I would not object to it at all,” he said, clarifying that US troops would not be part of any peacekeeping efforts.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
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