 "US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet at Trump Tower in New York City, US, September 27, 2024. File Image/Reuters")
US President Donald Trump on Sunday (March 2) reposted an opinion by Michael McCune on his Truth Social platform, warning Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy to “back down” and accept his terms to end the war with Russia.
The post comes two days after Trump’s explosive White House meeting with Zelenskyy, during which the US president and Vice President JD Vance accused the Ukrainian leader of not being “grateful” to US aid.
Here is what the message read that Trump reposted on Truth Social:
“Here’s the genius part - Trump is actually protecting the Ukraine without dragging the US into war.”
“By negotiating a mineral deal, Trump ensures that Americans will be involved in Ukraine’s mining industry. This prevents Russia from launching an invasion because attacking Ukraine would mean endangering American lives - something that would force the US to respond.”
“Trump played both sides like a master chess player. In the end, Zelesnky will have no choice but to concede because without the US support, Ukraine cannot win a prolonged war against Russia.”
“And once US companies have mining operations in Ukraine, Putin will be unable to attack without triggering massive international consequences. Don’t underestimate Donald Trump. In this game of chess, he’s 10 moves ahead of everyone.”
Earlier on Friday, President Trump warned Zelenskyy that he was “gambling with World War Three” during a series of heated exchanges, which were broadcast globally.
Both Trump and Vance accused Zelensky of lacking gratitude for US military aid, despite his repeated public acknowledgements since the war began in 2022.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe meeting ended with Zelensky reportedly being expelled from the White House, and plans to finalise a deal exchanging Ukrainian mineral rights for American arms were put on hold.
Trump later wrote on his Truth Social account that Zelenskyy was not ready for peace.
“Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE,” Trump wrote.
On Saturday (March 1), it was reported that the Trump administration was considering halting all military aid to Ukraine. Washington Post quoted a senior White House official as saying that such a decision would halt billions of dollars of radars, vehicles, ammunition, and missiles awaiting shipment to the war-torn nation.
The White House official quoted by the Post adds that the spat between Vance, Trump and Zelenskyy was “not preplanned”.
Meanwhile, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said Zelenskyy still had a chance to make a deal.
He said, Zelensky “has a chance to turn this” and “choices to make,” and that it “doesn’t mean [the deal] still can’t be done.”