President Trump has some demands…
According to Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy, Trump is seeking public contrition from Zelensky following the chaotic Oval Office meeting between the two leaders on Friday.
“I have been told by a senior official here that nothing’s going to happen with this minerals deal until Zelensky goes in front of cameras and makes an explicit public apology for the way that he behaved himself, behaved in the Oval Office with that meeting,” Doocy said during Monday’s edition of the Faulkner Focus.
The president’s
public comments on Truth Social, Monday, seem to track with Fox’s reporting — as he blasted Zelensky for saying that the end of the war with Russia is “very, very far away.”
“This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!” Trump wrote.
Zelensky has signaled he believes he’s still on solid footing with the U.S. and Trump.
In public comments earlier Monday, he declared his belief that the minerals deal can proceed without any strings attached.
“We are not making any steps back,” Zelensky said. “This is our policy to be consistent regardless of what happened before. We are constructive if we agree that it will be signed from our side, we are ready to sign. I honestly think the United States will be ready as well. Yeah, maybe they need time to analyze some things.”
On Friday, President Trump called off negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to end the conflict in Ukraine after a tense Oval Office meeting in which the two leaders sparred over U.S. support for Kyiv.
“We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure,” Trump posted on Truth Social after the meeting.
“It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations,” Trump continued. “I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
