Photo: Alamy
Ukranian President Vlodymyr Zelensky has stated his regret following a contentious Oval Office meeting with President Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Zelensky wrote a post on X which expressed his gratitude to the United States for its support and emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to peace.
“None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer,” Zelensky said.
He also stated his willingness to specifically work with the Trump administration.
“My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.”
Zelensky thanked the United States for its support, and specifically thanked President Trump for the initial provision of weapons during his first term in office.
“We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence,” Zelensky said. “And we remember the moment when things changed when President Trump provided Ukraine with Javelins. We are grateful for this.”
Zelensky continued by acknowledging the conflict that erupted during his prior meeting with Trump and Vance, and pledging full cooperation and communication moving forward.
“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,” Zelensky said. “It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.”
Zelensky ended his post by expressing a willingness to sign a mineral rights and security agreement. It remains to be seen whether the Trump administration will still consider the agreement on the table or whether it will need to be renegotiated in response to Zelensky’s insistence on security guarantees.
The Trump administration had previously negotiated the mineral rights agreement, but had not made a firm commitment on security guarantees for Ukraine. Following the Oval Office meeting last week, President Trump paused all U.S. military aid to Ukraine, saying Zelensky could return to the White House when he is “ready for peace.”