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Days after the tense meeting at the White House with Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, the president of Ukraine, Volodímir Zelenski, expressed his complete willingness to achieve lasting peace in the conflict with Russia.
In a message posted on the social network X, Zelensky stated this Tuesday the commitment of his country to peace and asserted that his team is ready to move forward with negotiations as quickly as possible.
The Ukrainian leader proposed that the initial measures to de-escalate the war include the release of prisoners, a ceasefire in the skies —banning missiles, long-range drones, and bombings on civilian infrastructure— and a ceasefire at sea, provided that Russia takes similar actions.
In his statement, the Ukrainian leader expressed gratitude for Washington's support in defending Ukraine's sovereignty and independence and recalled the moment when Trump sent Javelin missiles to Ukraine, considering it a turning point in the fight against Russian aggression.
However, Zelensky did not hide his dissatisfaction with the recent meeting in Washington, noting that "it did not go as planned" and describing it as "regrettable." Despite this, he emphasized the need to correct the course and advocated for more constructive cooperation with the United States.
He also reiterated that Ukraine is ready to sign the agreement on minerals and security with the U.S. at any time, viewing it as a step towards greater stability guarantees.
With this statement, Zelensky clearly expresses his willingness to align himself with Trump in an effort to end the war and secure U.S. support at a crucial moment for his country.
It is worth noting that during the failed meeting in the Oval Office, the U.S. president and Vance reprimanded Zelenski for not showing enough gratitude towards the assistance that the United States has provided to Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict.
Weeks ago, Zelenski stated that Trump "lives in a bubble of misinformation," criticizing him for falling into Russian disinformation and revealed a proposal from the U.S. for Ukraine to give up 50% of its natural resources without any security guarantees in return, as part of the peace process.
Trump and his push to end the war conflict
This Monday, March 3rd, Donald Trump ordered a "pause" in military aid to Ukraine following the tense meeting last week with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, at the White House.
The measure aimed to pressure the Ukrainian president to initiate peace negotiations with Russia and expedite the end of the conflict, which has already lasted over three years since the Russian invasion. Apparently, it achieved its goal within a few hours.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Peace Negotiations between Zelenski and Trump
What is Zelenski's stance on peace negotiations with Russia?
Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his willingness to negotiate peace, proposing initial measures such as the release of prisoners and a ceasefire, provided that Russia takes similar actions. Zelensky seeks lasting peace and has emphasized that no one desires peace more than the Ukrainians. However, he has been critical of the lack of tangible support from Trump and has insisted on the need for security guarantees for Ukraine.
Why has Trump paused military aid to Ukraine?
Donald Trump has paused military aid to Ukraine to pressure Zelenski to engage in peace negotiations with Russia. This move aims to expedite the end of the conflict, but it has also generated tensions due to the significance of U.S. military support in Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression. The decision also reflects the perception that Zelenski is not expressing enough gratitude for the assistance provided by the United States.
What impact does the suspension of military aid to Ukraine have?
The suspension of military aid by the United States weakens Ukraine's defensive capacity at a critical moment in the conflict with Russia. This decision has created uncertainty about Western support and has been seen by some as a way to pressure Ukraine into accepting a peace deal that may not provide sufficient security guarantees. Furthermore, it highlights a fracture in the alliance between the United States and Ukraine.
What is Zelensky hoping to achieve with a mineral agreement with the U.S.?
Zelensky seeks to finalize a mineral resources agreement with the United States that could provide economic benefits and security for Ukraine. However, this agreement has been a point of controversy, as it was previously proposed that Ukraine would hand over a large percentage of its resources without receiving security guarantees, which Zelensky has firmly rejected.
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