AP Photo/ Mystyslav Chernov
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted a video clip Friday in which he stated that Ukraine would “continue working with partners who seek peace just as we do,” adding that this included “intense work” and “numerous calls” to President Donald Trump’s team.
Zelensky’s post comes amid a fraught period of U.S.-Ukraine relations after a disastrous Oval Office meeting between him, Trump, and Vice President Vance, which began cordially enough, but soon broke down into a bitter conflict with other administration officials and the press corps looking on as Vance complained Zelensky had not shown enough gratitude and Zelensky argued that Russia could not be trusted to honor agreements after Putin had violated them so many times.
The meeting ended with the Ukrainian delegation being asked to leave without the mineral rights agreement being signed and without even getting lunch. Trump’s allies blamed Zelensky for the mess, Trump was reportedly demanding an “explicit public apology” from Zelensky before coming back to the negotiating table, the Kremlin cheered the whole debacle, and world leaders publicly declared support for Ukraine.
A key issue for the Ukrainians is the lack of explicit security guarantees in the proposed mineral rights agreement, a major concern after so many broken treaties, including 1994’s Budapest Memorandum under which Ukraine gave up its sizable nuclear arsenal in exchange for security assurances from the U.S., Russia, and the UK.
The days since have brought more tough news for the Ukrainians as they seek resources to help fend off Russia’s invading forces, with Trump continuing to publicly lambast Zelensky and media outlets reporting that the White House had ordered a pause on all pending U.S. aid to Ukraine — followed by the U.S. cutting off intelligence sharing. Meanwhile, Russia took advantage of Ukraine being left in the dark information-wise to bombard multiple Ukrainian cities with attack drones and cruise and ballistic missiles, many targeting civilian areas.
Zelensky shared the five-and-a-half-minute video Friday, writing that Ukraine “continue[s] working with partners who seek peace just as we do, focusing on the necessary steps,” and looking forward to an upcoming meeting “to accelerate peace and strengthen the foundations of security.”
“Today, intense work with President Trump’s team has been ongoing at various levels – numerous calls,” Zelensky continued. “The topic is clear – peace as soon as possible, security as reliably as possible. Ukraine is fully committed to a constructive approach.”
“I thank everyone who is helping,” the caption concluded.
The video clip, posted with Zelensky speaking in Ukrainian with English subtitles, began with Zelensky providing an update on Russia’s “massive attack” and the effectiveness of the air defenses. He thanked the Ukrainian troops, calling them “brave” and “warriors,” and gave specific credit to the F16s and French Mirage jets that “performed exceptionally well,” offering a specific thank you to the French President Emmanuel Macron.
Zelensky condemned the “vile and cynical” Russian attack on energy infrastructure and civilian facilities, which pretended there were “no efforts at all from Ukraine and the world to end this war.”
“Ukraine is ready for peace as soon as possible,” he continued — in what seemed to be a direct rebuke to a Trump administration talking point — having “proposed concrete steps,” but “every day, new Russian strikes and reality itself prove that it is Russia who must be forced into peace — into stopping the war, into real diplomacy, into ensuring security and into a reliable and lasting peace.”
The Ukrainian president added that in the last week, his country had “significantly increased” their support from Europe, both the EU and individual countries, with special thanks for the increased financial assistance from Norway, an additional $7.8 billion that would be used “to finance our resistance,” mostly for weapons production in Ukraine.
“This will help a lot — thank you,” he said, adding that other Nordic countries were also expected to make decisions soon, France was expediting its security assistance, the Netherlands was investing €700 million in drone production, and there were new security agreements with European leaders.
The video ends with Zelensky reiterating the “intensive work” and “many phone calls” to Trump’s team. “The agenda is clear — peace as soon as possible, security as reliably as possible. Ukraine is committed to the most constructive approach.”
“We thank everyone who is helping us!” he concluded. “Slava Ukraini!” [“Glory to Ukraine!”]
Watch the video above via @ZelenskyyUa on X.