Quotes
He’s got to say ‘I want to make peace’
said Trump responding to a reporter asking him about what Zelenskyy needs to do to restart talks with the US
You can't embolden somebody that does not have the cards. And all of a sudden, that person says, oh, well, now I can keep fighting. We're not going to keep fighting. You're going to get the war done or let them go and see what happens. Let them fight it out,
said TrumpWe're not looking for somebody that's going to sign up as strong power and then not make peace because they feel emboldened. And that’s what I saw happening. I’m looking for peace,
said TrumpWe are ready for peace but we have to be in a strong position,
Zelenskyy said
I don't see why an invitation would make sense,
one White House official told Reuters on Wednesday, when the Ukrainian president appeared to waver on signing the deal
I talked to Zelenskiy this morning -- don't take the bait. President Trump was in a very good mood last night,
he saidI don't know if we can ever do business with Zelenskiy again,
he saidThis is the most important—and of course [we’re] thankful to the president and to Congress—but first of all to your people,
Zelensky continued
I would say it didn’t work out exactly great from his standpoint. He very much overplayed his hand,
Trump said after the meetingI don’t want to think that we will not be strategic partners,
Zelenskyy told me earlier this month
That’s what you get for letting Vance in the room.”
Asked about the more rancorous tone in the Oval Office, Whitehouse said.jpg)
I think we were all right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago, and to continue to do so. And when I say ‘we,’ I mean the United States of America, the Europeans, the Canadians, the Japanese and many others.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said
He either needs to resign and send somebody over that we can do business with, or he needs to change,
Graham said of ZelenskyyIt will be very, very, very difficult,
Zelenskyy said when asked if Ukraine could survive without U.S. military supportNo one expected Zelenskyy to come in there and act entitled,
said this person, who addedThis was a missed opportunity, and the question for me for the Ukrainian people: I don't know if Zelensky can ever get you to where you want to go with the United States. Either he dramatically changes, or you need to get somebody new."
Graham during an appearance on Fox News later in the afternoon said
Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians do. Therefore we are working on a common path to a lasting and just peace. Ukraine can rely on Germany – and on Europe."
Outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X
The only obstacle to peace is Putin's decision to continue his war of aggression. If Russia stops fighting, there will be no war. If Ukraine stops fighting, there will be no Ukraine. Estonia's support to Ukraine remains unwavering. Time for Europe to step up."
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna wrote on XUkraine's security is Europe's security. Mobilizing all political, diplomatic, financial and military support Ukraine is Europe's key task. Lithuania's commitment to help Ukraine achieve long-lasting peace is unwavering."
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys wrote on X
Trump has put the US on the wrong side of the Russia-Ukraine war and it's shameful. He is every day making it more and more difficult to pull the West back together. After his term, the U.S. will need to convince our allies that we are dependable and still a nation of normal people."
Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. and national security adviser John Bolton wrote on X