Trump Advocates for Direct Talks Between Zelensky and Putin to Resolve War Trump Advocates for Direct Talks Between Zelensky and Putin to Resolve War

On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin need to «come together» to resolve the ongoing conflict between Moscow and Kyiv.

Trump’s remarks signify a departure from his earlier criticism of Zelensky, whom he referred to as a «dictator» when the Ukrainian leader expressed frustration over Ukraine’s exclusion from discussions involving U.S. and Russian officials following Russia’s invasion in 2022.

«President Putin and President Zelensky are going to have to meet. Because we want to put an end to the killing of millions of people,» Trump told journalists in the Oval Office.

He expressed hope that Kyiv would soon formalize an agreement granting Washington preferential access to Ukraine’s mineral resources.

«They are incredibly brave in every conceivable way. However, we are investing our resources in a country that is very far away,» Trump remarked regarding Ukraine.

He is advocating for Ukraine to provide U.S. firms access to its extensive natural resources as a form of reparation for the substantial aid that was provided by his predecessor, Joe Biden.

In exchange, Ukraine seeks security guarantees from the United States in return for relinquishing these valuable rights.

Zelensky, who had previously turned down the proposition, expressed his wish for a «fair outcome» on Friday.

The proposed minerals agreement has become a significant point of contention in the increasingly tense relationship between Washington and Kyiv.

In a recent exchange, Trump labeled Zelensky a «dictator without elections» and inaccurately claimed that Ukraine instigated the war.

Earlier that day, Trump characterized Ukraine as being at a disadvantage in the negotiations, raising concerns among allies who fear he may make concessions to Putin.

«I’ve had favorable discussions with Putin, but my talks with Ukraine haven’t gone as well. They have no leverage,» Trump said at the White House.

His suggestion for Zelensky and Putin to collaborate comes despite his assertion in a Fox News interview that Zelensky’s involvement in U.S.-Russia discussions was not «very important.»

Trump once again refrained from holding Russia accountable for the February 2022 invasion, stating that while Putin «attacked, they should not have allowed him to do so.»

He added that Putin, whom he has repeatedly praised, was under no obligation to reach an agreement.

«He doesn’t have to negotiate because if he wants to, he could take the whole country,» Trump remarked.

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, both scheduled to visit the White House next week for potentially challenging conversations, have faced criticism from Trump for inaction in ending the war.

Macron stated on Friday that he plans to inform Trump that «you can’t show weakness with President Putin.»

On the battlefield, both sides are attempting to enhance their positions as Trump advocates for a ceasefire. On Friday, Russia claimed it had taken control of two more villages in eastern Ukraine.

With Europe unsettled by the new U.S. approach to the conflict, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirmed support for Ukraine.

«We will not abandon Ukraine and make decisions without their input,» he declared on Friday at his final major campaign event ahead of this weekend’s elections.

After his discussions with Scholz and other leaders in the region, Zelensky noted in his evening televised address that «Europe must and can do much more to ensure peace is truly achieved» in Ukraine.

On the diplomatic front, the United States put forward a resolution at the United Nations on Friday that notably did not reference the Ukrainian territory occupied by Russia.

The proposed text, reviewed by AFP, calls for a «swift end to the conflict» without addressing Kyiv’s territorial integrity and was positively received by Moscow’s UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, who labeled it «a good move.»