Volodymyr Zelensky is offering Donald Trump an olive branch after the American president paused all US military aid to Ukraine last night. Zelensky has expressed his regrets about the confrontation in the Oval Office and said his team is ready to come to the negotiating table ‘as soon as possible’. Ukraine wants to sign the minerals agreement with the US at ‘any time and in any convenient format’. Zelensky also praised Trump’s ‘strong leadership’ and offered the first steps towards a cease-fire. Will this be enough?
White House officials earlier stated that aid would be on hold until Zelensky apologises for the Oval Office spat and demonstrates his readiness for peace. The Ukrainian president, who once admitted Ukraine wouldn’t survive without US support, is now forced to back down to satisfy Trump’s ego. Calling the fight with Trump ‘regrettable’ is not quite the apology Trump would want, but it makes it harder to pin the blame on Zelensky for refusing to co-operate.
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