Trump Says Zelenskyy Ready for 'Peace' in Ukraine
US Pres.-elect Donald Trump said Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy was ready for "peace" between his country and Russia after the pair met in Paris this weekend.
Facts
- US Pres.-elect Donald Trump said Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy was ready for "peace" between his country and Russia after the pair met in Paris this weekend.[1]
- Trump and Zelenskyy were in the French capital for the reopening of the Notre Dame cathedral — first attending a trilateral meeting with French Pres. Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace before attending a ceremony at the church with other world leaders.[1]
- In an interview with the New York Post following the trip, Trump said: "[Zelenskyy] wants to have a cease-fire. He wants to make peace. We didn't talk about the details. He thinks it's time, and [Russian Pres. Vladimir] Putin should think it's time because he's lost — when you lose 700K people, it's time. It's not going to end until there's a peace."[1]
- Meanwhile, posting on X after the meeting, Zelenskyy said, "The most important thing is to work together on how to end this war — that is our top priority." He added that this was what was discussed at the Paris meeting.[2]
- "I reiterate my gratitude to President Macron for organizing it, as well as my deep gratitude to President Trump for his strong resolve to bring this war to a fair end," Zelenskyy further added.[2]
- Separately, Zelenskyy pushed back against calls from some US and Western officials to lower the draft age from 25 to 18 so that Ukraine could mobilize more men. "We must not compensate the lack of equipment and training with the youth of soldiers," Zelenskyy said.[3]
Sources: [1]New York Post, [2]France 24 and [3]The Kyiv Independent.
Narratives
- Pro-Trump narrative, as provided by New York Post. This ridiculous war has gone on for too long and should not have started in the first place. Zelenskyy has recognized that and under Trump's leadership, a fair and lasting peace will be achieved.
- Pro-Ukraine narrative, as provided by The Kyiv Independent. We all want this war to end as soon as possible — but peace must be achieved through strength. That means alongside firm security guarantees, Ukraine needs commitments on EU and NATO membership.
