Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his willingness to work under Donald Trump’s leadership to restore peace in Ukraine, following the U.S. president’s abrupt decision to halt military aid to Kyiv.
In his first public remarks since the suspension of crucial wartime assistance, Zelensky acknowledged the recent tensions with Trump but called for a fresh start, emphasizing the need for a truce in air and naval operations as an initial step toward ending the three-year conflict.
“My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts,” Zelensky stated on X .
He admitted that their recent meeting in Washington did not go as expected, adding, “It is time to make things right.”
Trump’s decision to cut off aid has sent shockwaves through Ukraine and its European allies, heightening concerns that Washington is shifting its stance away from supporting Kyiv.
The Kremlin welcomed the move, with Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov describing it as a step toward peace.
“If the United States stops (military supplies), this would probably be the best contribution to peace,” Peskov said.
The European Union has been scrambling to reinforce its backing for Ukraine, unveiling a plan to mobilize approximately €800 billion ($840 billion) to bolster European defense.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the initiative as an effort to “massively step up support for Ukraine and provide immediate military equipment.”
Ordinary Ukrainians reacted with shock and frustration to Trump’s decision, with many perceiving it as a betrayal.
“It’s like a stab in the back,” said Sofia, a financial assistant in Kyiv. Others, like army volunteer Sergiy Sternenko, accused Trump of forcing Ukraine into surrender.
Amid the crisis, Ukraine is intensifying discussions with European partners to explore alternative support mechanisms. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak confirmed ongoing talks, stating, “We are discussing options with our European partners while also keeping open the possibility of negotiations with our American counterparts.”
Poland, which serves as a key logistics hub for military supplies to Ukraine, has already noticed disruptions, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirming reports of halted shipments at the border. France also criticized the U.S. move, with Prime Minister François Bayrou revealing that “entire trains” carrying American aid had been stopped.
Despite the setback, Ukraine remains open to striking a key minerals deal with the U.S., which Zelensky confirmed could be signed “at any time and in any format.”
Meanwhile, European leaders are set to meet for an emergency summit on Thursday to discuss joint military and financial commitments to Kyiv.
With NATO membership still off the table for Ukraine, Western nations are considering alternative security guarantees.
British and French officials are reportedly exploring the possibility of brokering a one-month truce between Ukraine and Russia, but skepticism remains about its feasibility.
As tensions escalate, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance added to the controversy by dismissing the idea of European troops in Ukraine, a remark that drew sharp rebukes from French and British officials.
While Vance later clarified that he was not singling out any specific nation, the diplomatic strain underscores the broader uncertainty surrounding Ukraine’s future without unwavering U.S. support.
With the war entering its fourth year and Ukraine’s main ally reconsidering its role, the coming weeks could prove decisive in shaping the trajectory of the conflict.