Zelensky Focuses on Public Relations, Regrets Tense Oval Office meeting

Zelensky offers a peace plan, regrets the meeting, and seeks future support with Trump.

Days after their heated meet in the Oval Office, Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he was ready to work under Donald Trump's "strong leadership" to bring about a lasting peace. In a lengthy social media statement, the Ukrainian president referred to the White House showdown as "regrettable" after the United States announced that it would no longer provide military aid to Kyiv.

Zelensky expressed that it was time to make things right after Trump accused him of not being ready to engage in talks. The Ukrainian leader also laid out the initial steps for ending the conflict.

Zelensky stated that Ukraine is prepared to act quickly to end the war, with the initial steps potentially including the release of prisoners, a ban on missiles, long-term drones, and bombs targeting energy and other civilian infrastructure, as well as an immediate truce at sea, provided that Russia agrees to the same conditions.

In his social media post, he expressed regret over how the meeting unfolded, stating that it didn’t go as expected. He added that now is the time to make things right and expressed hope for positive future communication and cooperation.

The UK prime minister attended a conference on Sunday with the goal of demonstrating solidarity for Ukraine. Zelensky stated that a resolution to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict was "still very, very far away" after the meeting.

Zelensky expressed appreciation for the significant support America has provided to help Ukraine preserve its sovereignty and independence. He also recalled the moment when the situation shifted, with President Trump supplying Ukraine with Javelins, the US anti-tank missile system, during his first administration, for which Zelensky expressed gratitude.