Key Aspects of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Olive Branch Extended to Donald Trump | World News
The president of Ukraine is reaching out to Donald Trump with a significant public statement aimed at rebuilding their connection and putting an end to Russia’s aggression.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to social media – the preferred platform of the US leader – to convey his message.
He stopped short of apologizing for a heated confrontation with Mr. Trump during their meeting at the Oval Office last Friday – a gesture that some officials in the US administration have suggested, even though it was the American president and his vice president who criticized Mr. Zelenskyy.
Instead, he called the meeting “unfortunate”, stating that it “did not unfold as intended… It is time to rectify the situation.”
Ukrainian forces launch missiles against Russian troops near Chasiv Yar. Pic: Reuters
Notably, he outlined a vision for how Russia’s conflict with Ukraine could potentially come to a conclusion.
Countering misleading narratives from Trump allies like Elon Musk that portray Mr. Zelenskyy as desiring an unending war, he asserted Ukraine’s commitment to peace and its readiness to engage in negotiations as soon as possible.
He emphasized: “We are prepared to act quickly to conclude the war, and initial steps could include the release of prisoners and establishing a ceasefire in the air – prohibiting missiles, long-range drones, and attacks on civilian infrastructure – as well as a ceasefire at sea, provided Russia reciprocates.”
In an appeal to the US president’s sensibilities, he commended Mr. Trump’s “strong leadership” and reiterated his appreciation for prior American support – addressing criticisms that he has not expressed sufficient gratitude.
👉 Follow Trump 100 on your podcast app 👈
He also mentioned that Kyiv is prepared to finalize a crucial minerals agreement with Washington – something Mr. Trump is also pursuing.
This outreach seems to be an effort by Mr. Zelenskyy to realign his relationship with Mr. Trump and articulate his vision for concluding the conflict, which Ukraine never intended to escalate but has been forced upon it by Russia’s invasion.
Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday, just before their Oval Office confrontation. Pic: AP
Read more from Sky News:
Trump: Dealmaker or blackmailer?
Canada cautions ‘no winners in a trade conflict’
US may have slipped into recession
The critical question now is how the US president will react.
Will Mr. Zelenskyy’s display of remorse and explicit desire to conclude the war offer sufficient of a pathway for Mr. Trump to alleviate the tension and, for the sake of Ukraine’s defense, resume military support to the nation?
Another significant aspect will be how Vladimir Putin responds and whether he might entertain a limited ceasefire in a conflict he initiated and in which, unlike Mr. Zelenskyy, he seems to lack a true interest to stop.
