Kyiv, Ukraine – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has expressed regret over his recent Oval Office confrontation with Donald Trump, calling it “time to make things right” after the former U.S. president halted military aid to Kyiv.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Zelenskiy reaffirmed Ukraine’s gratitude for U.S. support and signaled openness to peace negotiations, including a prisoner release and a ceasefire, provided Russia reciprocates.
“Our meeting in Washington did not go as planned. It is regrettable that it happened this way,” Zelenskiy said. “My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to secure lasting peace.”
Trump’s Aid Freeze and Its Fallout
The abrupt U.S. aid suspension comes amid growing tensions in Washington, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticizing Ukraine for allegedly not showing enough appreciation for past support.
“By freezing military aid, President Trump has kicked the door wide open for Putin to escalate his violent aggression,” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Ukraine, which has depended heavily on U.S. and European military support, faces significant battlefield challenges without continued aid, especially in maintaining air defenses against Russian attacks.
European Response: Stepping Up Support
As the U.S. shifts its stance, European leaders are rushing to bolster military assistance. The EU is holding an emergency summit on Thursday, while France and Britain have publicly backed Ukraine and even offered troops to help guard a potential ceasefire.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has unveiled proposals to increase EU defense spending, potentially mobilizing €800 billion ($840 billion).
Ukraine’s Strategy Moving Forward
Despite the setback, Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated that the country can hold its own against Russian forces, vowing to increase domestic military production to compensate for the potential loss of U.S. support.
With Trump set to address Congress on his Ukraine strategy, the world watches closely to see if this marks a historic geopolitical shift in U.S. foreign policy.