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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that US President Donald Trump should apply more pressure on his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to end the war in Ukraine. The latest remarks from Zelenskyy came amid reports that Trump demanded that Ukraine turn over territory for peace during their meeting at the White House.
A Financial Times report suggested that Trump told Zelenskyy during their Friday talks to hand over eastern Donbas to Russia . As per the report, the discussion escalated to an expletive-filled exchange in which Trump reportedly concluded that refusal to do so marked the end of Ukraine. While responding to the FT report, Zelenskyy made it clear that Ukraine won’t let go of its territory.
In his evening address on Sunday, Zelenskyy noted that Russia only react to pressure. “The world sees that Russia reacts to force, so peace through force can work. Ukraine will not give terrorists any bounty for their crimes, and we count on the support of our partners for this position," Zelenskyy said.
What happened behind closed doors
During his meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump reportedly demanded that Ukraine cede eastern territory to Moscow or cease to exist. “Putin said he would destroy Ukraine if you don’t agree,” the FT paraphrased Trump as telling Zelensky, citing a European official familiar with the meeting.
As per the report, Trump dismissed the maps Zelenskyy presented to him, which showed current frontlines and Ukrainian control in contested areas. It mentioned that the Ukrainian president left a meeting in Washington without an agreement for the US to send Kyiv long-range Tomahawk missiles.
However, Trump did not outrightly reject the plan, expressing frustration with his dealings with Putin. The Russian leader has regularly backtracked on every ceasefire promise he had made to Trump. According to FT, in Friday’s meeting, Trump also reportedly told Zelensky he never had any plans to approve the Tomahawks .
When asked by NBC on Sunday if Trump should be tougher on Putin, the Ukrainian leader gave an affirmative response. “Yes, and even more because Putin is something similar, but stronger than Hamas," he added. “And that’s why more pressure,” he added.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe Ukrainian leader also maintained that his delegation should be included in upcoming talks in Budapest that are planned between Trump and Putin. “If we really want to have just and lasting peace, we need both sides of this tragedy,” Zelensky said. “Yes, he’s an occupier, but Ukraine is suffering and fighting. And, of course, how can there be a deal about us, without us?”
Meanwhile, Trump explained to Fox News why he is not willing to send Tomahawks to Kyiv. “We have to remember one thing. We need them for ourselves, too. You know, we can’t give all of our weapons to Ukraine,” he said.