NATO leader prompts Zelensky to reconcile with Trump
Mark Rutte's appeal follows a meeting between the two leaders in Washington, which has put a strain on relations between Kiev and its primary donor, the US. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has urged Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky to repair his relationship with US President Donald Trump after a contentious meeting in Washington that strained relations between Kiev and its primary supporter.
Rutte described the Friday meeting between Trump and Zelensky as “unfortunate” in an interview with the BBC on Saturday. The talks, which were intended to finalize a minerals agreement, escalated into a tense confrontation.
During the meeting, Zelensky asserted that Washington should enhance its support for Ukraine instead of acting as a neutral mediator with Moscow. In response, Trump expressed frustration over what he viewed as Zelensky's failure to show gratitude for US assistance and his reluctance to make concessions to resolve the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The tension led to a premature conclusion of the day's events, with Trump reportedly dismissing Zelensky from the White House. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled the encounter a “fiasco,” and Trump advised Zelensky to return only when he was “ready to pursue peace.”
“I said: I think you have to find a way, dear Vladimir, to restore your relationship with Donald Trump and the American administration. That is important going forward,” Rutte relayed from a call he had with Zelensky on Friday.
Rutte reminded Zelensky of the substantial support received from the Trump administration, especially the delivery of Javelin anti-tank weapons in 2019, which had been vital for Ukraine’s defense during the escalation of the conflict in 2022. He asserted that without the Javelins, “Ukraine would have been nowhere.”
The NATO chief underscored the need to recognize the support from the US, which continues to be Kiev’s largest donor. The US has provided $65.9 billion in military aid since 2022, according to a posting by the US Department of State on January 20, 2025.
“We really have to give Trump credit for what he did then, what America did since then and also what America is still doing,” Rutte stated.
The exchange between Trump and Zelensky has ignited varied international reactions. European leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have reiterated their backing for Ukraine.
In contrast, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has praised Trump’s position, commending his efforts for peace. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova characterized the meeting as a “complete political and diplomatic failure” on the part of Ukraine.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
Rutte described the Friday meeting between Trump and Zelensky as “unfortunate” in an interview with the BBC on Saturday. The talks, which were intended to finalize a minerals agreement, escalated into a tense confrontation.
During the meeting, Zelensky asserted that Washington should enhance its support for Ukraine instead of acting as a neutral mediator with Moscow. In response, Trump expressed frustration over what he viewed as Zelensky's failure to show gratitude for US assistance and his reluctance to make concessions to resolve the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The tension led to a premature conclusion of the day's events, with Trump reportedly dismissing Zelensky from the White House. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled the encounter a “fiasco,” and Trump advised Zelensky to return only when he was “ready to pursue peace.”
“I said: I think you have to find a way, dear Vladimir, to restore your relationship with Donald Trump and the American administration. That is important going forward,” Rutte relayed from a call he had with Zelensky on Friday.
Rutte reminded Zelensky of the substantial support received from the Trump administration, especially the delivery of Javelin anti-tank weapons in 2019, which had been vital for Ukraine’s defense during the escalation of the conflict in 2022. He asserted that without the Javelins, “Ukraine would have been nowhere.”
The NATO chief underscored the need to recognize the support from the US, which continues to be Kiev’s largest donor. The US has provided $65.9 billion in military aid since 2022, according to a posting by the US Department of State on January 20, 2025.
“We really have to give Trump credit for what he did then, what America did since then and also what America is still doing,” Rutte stated.
The exchange between Trump and Zelensky has ignited varied international reactions. European leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have reiterated their backing for Ukraine.
In contrast, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has praised Trump’s position, commending his efforts for peace. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova characterized the meeting as a “complete political and diplomatic failure” on the part of Ukraine.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
