"Zelensky overestimated his cards." This is what Donald Trump said, following the sensational clash with the Ukrainian president who was kicked out of the Oval Office of the White House . "As you know, this meeting did not go exactly well. I want an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, he wanted to overdo it. I had the impression that Zelensky wants to fight, fight, fight: he must tell me that he wants peace, that he does not want to make war anymore. Putin and I want peace."
Asked if Zelensky should resign, Trump cuts short: "I'm okay with anyone making peace. It doesn't matter who leads Ukraine, as long as that person is ready to resolve the conflict with Russia peacefully." And again: "Zelensky should just say he wants peace. Instead he comes out and says nothing but negative things about Putin. I don't need this war to continue, but I need someone who can resolve the problem peacefully ."
Zelensky's response was not long in coming, in an interview with Fox News. Where he tried to tone things down: "I am very grateful to the United States for their support, we do not want to lose their alliance. You have helped us survive, without the United States it will be difficult for Ukraine to push back Russia", was his message. No request for an apology from Trump, as requested by the American Secretary of State Marco Rubio ("I thank and respect the president: certain conversations should not be held in front of the media, with all due respect for democracy and a free press"), and then reiterated his will: " A truce without security guarantees from the United States is a very sensitive issue for my people. No one wants the end of the war more than us ".
On the subject of his resignation, requested by Republican Senator (of the United States) Lindsey Graham, Zelensky is categorical: « Only the Ukrainians can decide whether I should step down or not. The Americans choose the president, the Ukrainians choose theirs. That's how it works ». Then he sent another message to Trump: «I would like him to be more on our side and not in the middle, because the war started because Putin attacked us. The relationship with him can be saved, I'm sure of it: ours is a historic relationship between two peoples».
According to the Washington Post, citing administration sources, Trump is considering halting all ongoing military aid shipments to Ukraine. The decision would affect billions of dollars in radar, vehicles, munitions and missiles awaiting shipment to the country. Giorgia Meloni has called for a meeting between the US, European states and allies .
(Online Union)