Trump names conditions for resuming talks with Zelensky

Speaking to reporters after a tense meeting with Zelensky at the White House on Friday, Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of “overplaying his hand” and failing to demonstrate a genuine desire to end the conflict with Russia.​

“We’re looking for peace,” Trump stated. “We’re not looking for somebody that’s going to sign up a strong power and then not make peace because they feel emboldened… He’s looking to go on and fight, fight, fight. We’re looking to end the deaths.”​

You saw what I saw today. This is a man that wants to get us signed up and keep fighting. And we’re not doing that, not for this country.

According to Trump, continued US military assistance would only strengthen Zelensky’s position, making him less inclined to negotiate peace. “We’re not looking for somebody that’s going to sign up a strong power and then not make peace because they feel emboldened,” Trump said. “We’re not looking to go into a 10-year war.”​

Trump reiterated that a ceasefire should be the immediate priority, suggesting that Zelensky was unwilling to consider one. He also noted that, unlike Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin seems willing to make peace, and insisted that US policy should focus on de-escalation rather than prolonging hostilities.​

When asked whether he had explicitly told Zelensky to leave the White House, Trump declined to answer directly. “I think you know the answer to that,” he said, adding that Zelensky “wants to come back right now, but I can’t do that.”

Summarizing his position, Trump made clear that the US would not continue to back Ukraine unless Zelensky took steps toward peace.​

“Let me tell you… you saw what I saw today. That was not a man that wanted to make peace,” he said. “And I’m only interested if he wants to end the bloodshed.”