The White House announced a pause in aid to Ukraine Monday night. Less than 24 hours later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told President Trump he was ready “make things right.”
Zelenskyy, 47, wrote what some analysts say is an apology, as well as long overdue gratitude, on X:
“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. It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.”
The Ukrainian president had come to Washington on Friday expecting to sign a framework minerals deal with the US, but was booted from the White House after his meeting with Trump and Vice President JD Vance descended into a shouting match over perceived “disrespect” reports The New York Post.
His lengthy X post continues:
“I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace. None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.”
Zelenskyy added Ukraine would sign the mineral deal at “any time and in any convenient format.” He also proposed a halt to all combat operations in the air and at sea — “if Russia will do the same.”
“We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence. And we remember the moment when things changed when President Trump provided Ukraine with Javelins,” he went on, referring to shoulder-fired, anti-armor missiles. “We are grateful for this.”
The Post reports that Vice President JD Vance spoke to reporters on Tuesday at the Capitol, emphasizing that the Trump administration wants the Ukrainians coming to the table “privately” and offering what they would be willing to do to stop the three-year-old war.
Vance added Trump is “still committed to the mineral deal” and wants to see it go through, and that military aid could be turned back on if the Ukrainian side comes to the negotiating table with the president.
