Trump Says Ukraine Needs Someone Else to Negotiate Peace Deal
7 hours ago
President Donald Trump is calling for a change in Ukraine's negotiating team as his administration continues efforts to reach an agreement to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Monday, Trump said it was time for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to have someone else negotiate on behalf of his country.
The president's remarks come amid growing disagreements between Washington and Kyiv over efforts to reach a peace agreement with Moscow.
Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration with Zelenskyy's approach to negotiations, accusing the Ukrainian leader of standing in the way of a potential agreement.
In a social media post Sunday, Trump claimed that significant progress was being made toward ending the conflict but suggested Zelenskyy was unwilling to reach a deal.
The president also defended his decision to waive a series of congressionally approved sanctions on Russia, arguing that maintaining diplomatic engagement with Moscow was necessary to keep peace negotiations moving forward.
That decision has drawn criticism from lawmakers in both parties who argue that easing economic pressure on Russia could weaken the United States' negotiating position.
Trump has maintained that his administration is working to bring an end to the fighting through negotiations, although no final agreement has been announced.
It remains unclear whether Zelenskyy would consider changing Ukraine's negotiating representatives or how Trump's latest comments could affect ongoing diplomatic discussions.
The remarks underscore continued differences between the Trump administration and Ukraine's leadership over how to bring the conflict to an end.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Monday, Trump said it was time for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to have someone else negotiate on behalf of his country.
The president's remarks come amid growing disagreements between Washington and Kyiv over efforts to reach a peace agreement with Moscow.
Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration with Zelenskyy's approach to negotiations, accusing the Ukrainian leader of standing in the way of a potential agreement.
In a social media post Sunday, Trump claimed that significant progress was being made toward ending the conflict but suggested Zelenskyy was unwilling to reach a deal.
The president also defended his decision to waive a series of congressionally approved sanctions on Russia, arguing that maintaining diplomatic engagement with Moscow was necessary to keep peace negotiations moving forward.
That decision has drawn criticism from lawmakers in both parties who argue that easing economic pressure on Russia could weaken the United States' negotiating position.
Trump has maintained that his administration is working to bring an end to the fighting through negotiations, although no final agreement has been announced.
It remains unclear whether Zelenskyy would consider changing Ukraine's negotiating representatives or how Trump's latest comments could affect ongoing diplomatic discussions.
The remarks underscore continued differences between the Trump administration and Ukraine's leadership over how to bring the conflict to an end.
