US President Donald Trump expressed his frustration towards the leaders of both factions involved in the ongoing conflict stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as efforts to initiate ceasefire discussions remain stalled.
Initially, Mr. Trump criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for undermining the credibility of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky as a negotiating partner, stating that he felt “very angry” at the Kremlin leader.
However, the US president later moderated his remarks about Mr. Putin and redirected his criticism towards Mr. Zelensky, cautioning that Ukraine would face “big, big problems” if he hesitated to agree to a deal regarding mineral rights with the United States.
Donald Trump warned that Ukraine would encounter ‘significant problems’ if Volodymyr Zelensky hesitates on signing the mineral rights deal with the US.
NBC News journalist Kristen Welker reported that Mr. Trump had contacted her to share his outrage over Mr. Putin questioning Mr. Zelensky’s position—something Mr. Trump has previously expressed—and suggesting secondary tariffs on companies engaging with Russian oil.
Later, while on a flight back to Washington from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Mr. Trump moderated some of his earlier critiques.
‘Big problems’
“I was disappointed in a certain way,” Mr. Trump remarked.
“Some of the comments he made over the last day or two regarding Zelensky, because when he regards Zelensky as not credible, he’s meant to be negotiating with him, regardless of personal opinions.”
“So I wasn’t pleased with that, but I believe he will do well and I certainly wouldn’t want to impose secondary tariffs on Russia,” he continued.
Mr. Trump subsequently aimed his criticism at Mr. Zelensky, stating: “I see he’s attempting to withdraw from the rare earth deal. If he does that, he faces problems. Big, big problems.”
Vladimir Putin dismissed a collaborative US-Ukrainian proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.
“We established a deal on rare earth, and now he’s indicating a desire to renegotiate. He aspires to NATO membership, but that was never on the table for him. He knows that. So if he’s trying to renegotiate, then he’s in for big problems,” he added.
The US president has advocated for a swift resolution to the over three-year conflict since his commencement in office, yet his administration has been unable to achieve a breakthrough despite negotiations with both parties involved.
Mr. Putin has refused a joint US-Ukrainian proposal for a 30-day ceasefire and suggested on Friday that Mr. Zelensky be ousted as a part of the peace negotiations.
The warming relations between the US and Russia since Mr. Trump’s return to office, alongside his threats to cease support for Ukraine, have strengthened Russia’s position on the battlefield as it continues its faltering invasion.
Ukraine has accused Russia of prolonging negotiations without genuine intent to cease its offensive, which includes renewed attacks on the northeastern border city of Kharkiv.
Overnight, six strikes were reported, injuring personnel being treated at a military hospital and resulting in two fatalities in a residential building, as per Ukrainian officials.
Russian forces also claimed to have captured a village merely seven kilometers from Ukraine’s central Dnipropetrovsk region border in their latest progress, as stated by Russia.
A vehicle, destroyed by a Russian drone, sits in the center of Kharkiv.
The Kremlin’s troops have not crossed the region’s border since their offensive commenced in 2022, but have been inching towards it for months in hopes of a significant breakthrough.
Mr. Putin, in power for 25 years and repeatedly elected in unchallenged elections, has frequently doubted Mr. Zelensky’s “legitimacy” as president, particularly as the Ukrainian leader’s initial five-year term is set to conclude in May 2024.
According to Ukrainian law, elections are suspended during significant military conflicts, and all of Mr. Zelensky’s domestic adversaries have asserted that no elections should occur until the conflict concludes.
Mr. Trump has had tumultuous interactions with Mr. Zelensky in the past, labeling him a “dictator” and clashing with him publicly during a White House event last month.
In his evening address on Saturday, Mr. Zelensky aimed to galvanize his nation’s allies against Mr. Putin.
“For far too long, America’s offer for an unconditional ceasefire has remained on the table without a suitable response from Russia,” Mr. Zelensky declared. “If there was genuine pressure on Russia, there could already be a ceasefire.”
