The president on Monday night suspended all their military assistance to the power as a demonstration of power after the president’s humiliating reprimand at the Oval Office last week, with the aim of pushing him to return to the negotiating table.
“President Trump focuses on peace,” a White House official said about the help of helping. “Our partners must also commit to this goal. We temporarily interrupt the help and will review the issue to ensure that it contributes to the solution. “
This directive was issued a few hours after Trump told reporters that he had not discussed such a passion – and three days after the remarkable story he had with Zelenski at the Oval Office. Trump and Vice President TEI Di Vance expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of gratitude of the Ukrainian president, who, as Trump told him, “” to defeat Russia without the continued support of the United States.
The mineral agreement remains on the table
However, Trump made it clear in his public statements on Monday that the financial agreement for which Zelenski had come to Washington remains on the table. The “” approach aims to force Zelenski to a wider negotiation to end the war with Russia.
A senior government official, who spoke anonymously, said Trump and his team continue to believe that a relatively rapid ending of the war that Russia began three years ago is feasible and seeking to push Zelenski to mitigate his rhetoric.
“There is a possible window of opportunity with Russia,” the official said. “You won’t bring Putin to the table if you offend him.”
But as much as Trump may want to mediate for peace, his selfishness remains a factor. On Monday, some of his advisers continued to argue that there would be no agreement, regardless of the stake, until Zelenski assumes responsibility for Friday’s conflict.
“What we need to hear from President Zelenski is that he regrets what happened, that he is ready to sign this mineral agreement and that he is ready to participate in peace talks,” Trump’s National Security Advisor Maik News told Fox News.
The obstacles on the road
Significant obstacles remain to rescue US-Ukraine relations. These include the demand for Zelenski to apologize to Trump, despite being considered a victim of allies in Europe and many in the US. And it becomes increasingly clear that even if Zelenski swallows his pride and apologizes to Trump for alleged insults, the profit distribution agreement from rare minerals will not directly lead to peace talks, nor will it prevent him from approaching Trump.
However, government officials worked over the weekend through diplomacy channels to save the deal, while allies publicly urged Zelenski to make a demonstration of remorse. And Trump, despite his harsh rhetoric against Zelenski, left a little hope of hope in his comments on Monday, keeping the hopes of Europe and Ukraine alive.
Some legislators who support Ukraine are trying to restore relationships, although they face a growing reaction from Republicans who oppose Zelenski and war.
Republican MP Brian Fitzpatrick, who supports Ukraine, has convinced that the mineral agreement will soon be resolved and lead to long -term financial and military agreements.
“We will return 100% of this train to the rails,” he wrote in X.
Trump is pushing Europe
Trump, however, is not on the side of either Zelenski or Europe. And his desire to build relationships with Moscow.
When asked if he was going to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump replied Monday: “We will make agreements with everyone.”
The prospect of Trump’s reconciliation with Putin has increased the sense of urgency for Europe, which is looking for strategies to secure its own security as well.
Jan Bremer, president of Eurasia Group, said in a statement that there was discussion of possible visits by British Prime Minister Kir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron to Washington, in order to restore relations, revive the agreement for a European plan.
However, Trump’s approach to Moscow may complicate these plans and lead to additional demands for Zelenski.
Earlier on Monday, Trump criticized Zelenski on social media, attacking his statements on the prospect of a prolonged war, describing them as “the worst statement that could be made”.
“This guy does not want peace as much as the support of America,” Trump wrote.
In agreement the US-Russia line
These were among many comments that resonated with the Kremlin rhetoric, to such an extent that Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Putin, said in an interview on state television on Sunday that American foreign policy “is largely aligned”. Like Trump, he accused Ukraine of prolonging the war that Russia began without a challenge three years ago.
“,” Peskov said.
However, Trump’s interest in normalizing relationships with Moscow could overshadow these plans and lead him to make more demands for Zelenski, whose country has been under Russian attack for three years.
Zelenski tried to alleviate the tension with his own posting on social media – addressing Trump – emphasizing his desire for peace “as soon as possible”.
European support for Zelenski over the weekend, as well as discussions on separate peace proposals, made it clear that they are not alone and that he could have sufficient support to repel Russian attacks for some time.
