Donald Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after their tense meeting at the White House, saying Zelenskyy “overplayed his hand” and was “kicked out” after their argument.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said the meeting did not go well for Zelenskyy and that he had miscalculated.
Trump made it clear that he wants peace, not a long war, saying, “We’re looking for peace, not a 10-year war. If we sign up, he’s looking for something I’m not looking for—he wants to keep fighting. Just this week, 2,000 young Ukrainians and Russians died.
I care about them. I care about everyone.” Trump also claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to end the war, while Zelenskyy wants to continue fighting. He said, “Zelenskyy is playing with a weak hand. If we sign, he gets a strong hand, but he refuses to make peace.
President Putin wants to end it, but Zelenskyy wants to keep fighting. We’re not going to be part of that.” Trump added that Zelenskyy needs to push for peace, saying, “I don’t want this war to continue—his people are dying, and he doesn’t have the advantage.”
He also accused Zelenskyy of acting overconfident with U.S. support, saying, “Suddenly, he thinks he’s a big shot because he has the U.S.
on his side. He can choose to end it or keep fighting. Without us, things don’t look good for him.” Trump repeated his call for an immediate ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, warning that U.S.
support is not guaranteed if Zelenskyy refuses peace. He told reporters before leaving the White House for Florida, “I want it to end now. I want a ceasefire immediately.”
