Zelensky Regrets Trump Spat After US Aid Pause

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, just hours after President Donald Trump paused U.S. aid to his war-torn country, posted what could be considered a conciliatory message and an attempt to get back into Trump's good graces after last week's blowup in the Oval Office.

"Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be," Zelenskyy posted in a lengthy statement to X. "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."

At the end of the message, Zelenskyy expressed hope Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will restore the paused minerals deal that was pulled off the table after Friday's meeting.

"Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it in any time and in any convenient format," Zelenskyy's statement concluded. "We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively."

Trump accused Zelenskyy for being ungrateful for his administration's work to achieve peace in Ukraine and bringing Russia's Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table, something Trump said is made difficult if Zelenskyy continues to demonize the other party he needs to bring peace in his country.

"I would like to reiterate Ukraine's commitment to peace," Zelenskyy said at the start of the statement after Trump cut off talks Friday, saying Zelenskyy would be welcome back when he is ready to achieve 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."

Trump had rebuked Zelenskyy's earlier statement that war with Russia would not end for a very long time.

"My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts," Zelenskyy's statement continued. "We are ready to work fast to end the war, and the first stages could be the release of prisoners and truce in the sky — ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on energy and other civilian infrastructure — and truce in the sea immediately, if Russia will do the same.

"Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the US to agree a strong final deal."

Included in his statement was a message of being "grateful," the sticking point that ultimately led to Friday's Oval Office blowout and wound up getting Zelenskyy ushered out of the White House.

"We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence," Zelenskyy wrote. "And we remember the moment when things changed when President Trump provided Ukraine with Javelins [missiles]. We are grateful for this."