President Donald Trump said Ukraine should consider replacing President Volodymyr Zelensky as its chief negotiator if it wants to bring its war with Russia to an end.
Trump pointed back to his highly contentious February 2025 Oval Office meeting with Zelensky, during which he warned the Ukrainian president that his country was losing the war and remained in a strong position largely because of U.S. military assistance.
“Ukraine could have had this thing settled a long time ago,” Trump told reporters on the South Lawn before departing for Kansas on a campaign trip. “If he would have listened to me, and you remember the Oval Office, he would have had to settle a long time ago.”
“I think it’s time for somebody else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine,” Trump added.
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Trump also said he was open to meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping next month while visiting China for the ASEAN meeting.
His remarks suggested that his patience with Kyiv had run out and that he believed the United States had already provided sufficient support to Ukraine.
“We’ve given a lot to Ukraine. They’ve given nothing to us. Remember that,” Trump said.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.