Zelenskyy Declares Ukraine 'Ready' for Peace Talks, Criticizes Trump Meeting as 'Regrettable'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Ukraine is prepared to engage in peace negotiations, though he described his recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House as "regrettable." In a statement shared on social media, Zelenskyy emphasized that it is time to "make things right" and push forward toward resolving the ongoing war with Russia.

"My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts," Zelenskyy declared. He outlined an ambitious plan for the initial stages of peace, which includes a truce in the air and at sea. The proposed measures would halt missile strikes, drone attacks, and bombings of civilian infrastructure on both sides, aiming to create an environment for broader peace agreements.

He also expressed gratitude for the support Ukraine has received from the United States, particularly highlighting the provision of Javelin anti-tank missiles during Trump’s presidency. However, Zelenskyy didn’t shy away from addressing the less-than-ideal outcome of his recent Washington visit, noting, "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."

Despite the rocky meeting, Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine's readiness to sign an agreement on minerals and security, viewing it as a crucial step toward solid security guarantees. He expressed hope that future cooperation with the U.S. would be more constructive.

The timing of Zelenskyy’s statement is notable, coming just a day after Trump announced a pause on all U.S. aid to Ukraine. A senior Trump administration official clarified that the aid halt is temporary, contingent on Ukraine demonstrating a commitment to "good faith peace negotiations." The official stressed, "This is not permanent termination of aid; it's a pause."

European leaders, including U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, have also been pushing for a temporary freeze on hostilities, proposing a 30-day halt on strikes from the air, sea, and energy infrastructure to create a window for broader peace talks. While Trump’s administration has yet to comment on this proposal, the alignment between Zelenskyy’s statement and European suggestions may signal a coordinated effort to de-escalate tensions.

National Security Adviser Mike Waltz weighed in on the situation, labeling Zelenskyy’s clash with Trump as "ridiculous" but acknowledging the Ukrainian president’s apparent shift toward peace talks as a positive development. "The White House needed to hear that Zelenskyy has regret for what happened and that he is now ready to engage in peace talks," Waltz told Fox News.

The coming weeks will undoubtedly test the commitment of all parties involved. Whether Zelenskyy’s readiness for peace talks and Trump’s strategic pause on aid will lead to meaningful progress or further complications remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the stakes couldn’t be higher.