Zelenskyy states it is ‘time to make things right’ following Oval Office incident
The Ukrainian president expressed that he and his team are “ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.”
TroibNews 
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy put forward a proposal for a limited truce with Russia and expressed Ukraine's readiness to advance discussions on a minerals and security agreement with the United States on Tuesday. This comes just days after a tense exchange in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump, which sent shockwaves through international relations.
In a post on the social media platform X, Zelenskyy remarked, “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.” He emphasized, “It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.”
The wartime president indicated that he and his team are “ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.” He suggested that both Ukraine and Russia release prisoners and agree to a “truce in the sky” and “truce in the sea immediately.”
Zelenskyy’s statements mark a significant shift in the ongoing negotiations regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, which has intensified following Russia's full-scale offensive in 2022. Last week’s confrontation involving Trump and Vice President JD Vance significantly heightened diplomatic tensions, raising doubts about the United States' commitment to Ukraine and prompting European leaders to quickly express their support.
Prior to the contentious meeting, Trump and Zelenskyy had been developing a deal that would allow the U.S. to access Kyiv’s mineral resources in exchange for a “reconstruction investment fund” aimed at aiding Ukrainian development. Zelenskyy has also sought security guarantees from the U.S., asserting that without them, Ukraine would remain susceptible to further Russian aggression.
Following the fraught Oval Office discussion, uncertainty looms over the Trump administration’s willingness to offer any guarantees. Just the day before, Trump directed his administration to halt military assistance to Ukraine, a move that could undermine Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russian threats.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally who had previously supported Ukraine but suggested last week that Zelenskyy might need to step down, commented that Zelenskyy's “statement was very good today. It was a step in the right direction.”
This represents a shift from the Biden administration, which had formed a robust partnership with Kyiv in part to counter Russian incursions. The Kremlin has since noted approval of the Trump administration's approach, suggesting that the U.S. perspective aligns closely with its own.
However, Vance conveyed to reporters on Capitol Hill Tuesday, prior to Zelenskyy's comments, that he believes the U.S. is still exerting adequate pressure on Russia to compel an end to the conflict. “We still have a number of sanctions that are placed on Russians,” he stated. “We do believe the Russians economically are struggling because of this conflict. … We believe [in] applying pressure to everybody to stop the killing.”
European leaders have quickly rallied around Zelenskyy since the fallout with Trump and Vance, pledging to support Ukraine and address any potential void left by the U.S. “The U.K. is prepared to back this with boots on the ground and planes in the air,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. “Europe must do the heavy lifting, but to support peace in our continent, and to succeed this effort must have strong U.S. backing.”
The U.K. and France have agreed to develop a peace plan for Ukraine to present to Trump, according to Starmer, with additional countries joining the initiative.
Some Republicans have also criticized the Trump administration's pivot towards Russia, signaling one of the initial fractures in a party that has largely followed Trump's lead thus far. “I am sick to my stomach as the administration appears to be walking away from our allies and embracing Putin, a threat to democracy and U.S. values around the world,” Alaskan Sen. Lisa Murkowski voiced on X Saturday.
Following the clash between Zelenskyy and Trump, Republican Sen. John Curtis noted on X, “Diplomacy and statesmanship seem to have been checked at the door of the Oval Office today.”
Despite the tensions, Zelenskyy continues to extend an olive branch to Trump. “Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it in any time and in any convenient format,” he stated on X. “We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively.”
Jordain Carney contributed to this report.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
In a post on the social media platform X, Zelenskyy remarked, “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.” He emphasized, “It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.”
The wartime president indicated that he and his team are “ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.” He suggested that both Ukraine and Russia release prisoners and agree to a “truce in the sky” and “truce in the sea immediately.”
Zelenskyy’s statements mark a significant shift in the ongoing negotiations regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, which has intensified following Russia's full-scale offensive in 2022. Last week’s confrontation involving Trump and Vice President JD Vance significantly heightened diplomatic tensions, raising doubts about the United States' commitment to Ukraine and prompting European leaders to quickly express their support.
Prior to the contentious meeting, Trump and Zelenskyy had been developing a deal that would allow the U.S. to access Kyiv’s mineral resources in exchange for a “reconstruction investment fund” aimed at aiding Ukrainian development. Zelenskyy has also sought security guarantees from the U.S., asserting that without them, Ukraine would remain susceptible to further Russian aggression.
Following the fraught Oval Office discussion, uncertainty looms over the Trump administration’s willingness to offer any guarantees. Just the day before, Trump directed his administration to halt military assistance to Ukraine, a move that could undermine Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russian threats.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally who had previously supported Ukraine but suggested last week that Zelenskyy might need to step down, commented that Zelenskyy's “statement was very good today. It was a step in the right direction.”
This represents a shift from the Biden administration, which had formed a robust partnership with Kyiv in part to counter Russian incursions. The Kremlin has since noted approval of the Trump administration's approach, suggesting that the U.S. perspective aligns closely with its own.
However, Vance conveyed to reporters on Capitol Hill Tuesday, prior to Zelenskyy's comments, that he believes the U.S. is still exerting adequate pressure on Russia to compel an end to the conflict. “We still have a number of sanctions that are placed on Russians,” he stated. “We do believe the Russians economically are struggling because of this conflict. … We believe [in] applying pressure to everybody to stop the killing.”
European leaders have quickly rallied around Zelenskyy since the fallout with Trump and Vance, pledging to support Ukraine and address any potential void left by the U.S. “The U.K. is prepared to back this with boots on the ground and planes in the air,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. “Europe must do the heavy lifting, but to support peace in our continent, and to succeed this effort must have strong U.S. backing.”
The U.K. and France have agreed to develop a peace plan for Ukraine to present to Trump, according to Starmer, with additional countries joining the initiative.
Some Republicans have also criticized the Trump administration's pivot towards Russia, signaling one of the initial fractures in a party that has largely followed Trump's lead thus far. “I am sick to my stomach as the administration appears to be walking away from our allies and embracing Putin, a threat to democracy and U.S. values around the world,” Alaskan Sen. Lisa Murkowski voiced on X Saturday.
Following the clash between Zelenskyy and Trump, Republican Sen. John Curtis noted on X, “Diplomacy and statesmanship seem to have been checked at the door of the Oval Office today.”
Despite the tensions, Zelenskyy continues to extend an olive branch to Trump. “Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it in any time and in any convenient format,” he stated on X. “We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively.”
Jordain Carney contributed to this report.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
