Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed regret on Tuesday over last week’s heated confrontation with Donald Trump in the Oval Office, stating his desire to “make things right.” He also emphasized Kyiv’s readiness to engage in peace negotiations as soon as possible, according to a Reuters report.
In a detailed statement released a day after Trump suspended military aid to Ukraine, Zelenskiy declared his willingness to sign a deal granting the United States access to Ukrainian minerals “any time and in any convenient format.” This offer comes after Zelenskiy canceled a planned visit to Washington following the tense Oval Office exchange with Trump on Friday.
“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. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians,” Zelenskiy said in a post on X.
He added, “My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to achieve a lasting peace.”
The statement did not directly address the suspension of U.S. military aid, a move that marks another shift in Trump’s approach to Ukraine and signals a more conciliatory stance toward Russia. However, Zelenskiy’s remarks appeared aimed at reaffirming Kyiv’s gratitude toward the U.S. amid the fallout from the contentious White House meeting.
During the Friday meeting, Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelenskiy for what they perceived as insufficient appreciation for U.S. support and efforts to end the war. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later suggested that Zelenskiy should apologize.
In his statement, Zelenskiy acknowledged the importance of U.S. assistance, saying, “We truly value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence.” He also expressed regret over the meeting’s outcome, stating, “It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right.”
Zelenskiy outlined a potential path to peace, proposing an initial ceasefire involving the release of prisoners and a halt to air and sea attacks, provided Russia reciprocates. “Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and work with the U.S. to agree on a strong final deal,” he said.
**U.S. Aid Suspension and Its Implications**
Earlier, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal expressed confidence in Ukraine’s ability to hold its ground against Russian forces but stressed the importance of continued cooperation with the U.S.
“We will continue to work with the U.S. through all available channels in a calm manner,” Shmyhal said. “We only have one plan—to win and to survive. Either we win, or Plan B will be written by someone else.”
The Kremlin welcomed the suspension of U.S. military aid, calling it a positive step toward peace, though it noted that it was still awaiting official confirmation of Trump’s decision.
Trump is expected to elaborate on his plans for Ukraine and Russia during a major address to Congress later on Tuesday. His abrupt policy shift toward Russia represents one of the most dramatic changes in U.S. geopolitical strategy in decades. Defending Europe from Russian aggression has been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy since the 1940s, supported by both major political parties.
While Trump’s actions have drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, Republican leaders in Congress have largely remained silent, despite many having previously been strong advocates for Ukraine.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, condemned the move, stating, “By freezing military aid to Ukraine, President Trump has kicked the door wide open for Putin to escalate his violent aggression against innocent Ukrainians.”
**Impact on Ukraine’s Defense**
Ukraine has relied heavily on U.S. and European military support to counter Russia’s larger and better-equipped forces during the three-year conflict, which has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties on both sides.
Shmyhal noted that Ukraine is increasing its domestic military production, particularly drones, but warned that the loss of U.S. aid could severely impact its air defense capabilities. Patriot missile systems, provided by the U.S., are currently Ukraine’s only defense against Russian ballistic missiles targeting its cities.
Michael Kofman, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment, commented that while the suspension of aid is significant, its impact is less severe than it would have been earlier in the war, as Ukraine has become less dependent on direct U.S. military assistance.
**Pressure on European Allies**
The suspension of U.S. aid has increased pressure on European nations, many of which have reaffirmed their support for Ukraine following the Oval Office incident. Leaders from the UK and France, who visited the White House last week, have offered troops to help enforce a potential ceasefire.
European countries are also accelerating efforts to boost their defense spending. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced proposals to increase EU defense spending, potentially mobilizing up to 800 billion euros ($840 billion). The 27-nation bloc is set to hold an emergency summit on Thursday.
French Prime Minister Francois Bayou criticized Trump’s decision, stating, “Suspending aid during a war to a country under attack means abandoning the country under attack and accepting or hoping that the aggressor will win.”
**Ukrainian Public Reaction**
Many Ukrainians, who have endured three years of war against a more powerful adversary, expressed shock and dismay at the suspension of U.S. aid, with some describing it as a betrayal.
Oleksandr Merezhko, head of the Ukrainian parliament’s foreign affairs committee, suggested that Trump’s actions appeared to be “pushing us towards capitulation.”
Olena Bilova, a 47-year-old lawyer in Kyiv, echoed these sentiments, saying, “Yes, it is betrayal, let’s call it like it is. But let’s hope that American civil society and the elites of the European Union will not leave us alone.”
