Media reveal how Zelenskyy’s post backing return to talks with Trump came about
Senior U.S. officials in President Donald Trump’s administration held private talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after their Oval Office clash, urging him to restart negotiations before Trump’s Congress address, CNN reported, citing unnamed sources.
Sources said Trump’s special envoy Keith Kellogg was among those who contacted Zelenskyy, stressing the need to stabilize White House ties quickly and pushing for minerals deal talks before Trump’s speech.
CNN noted that soon after, Zelenskyy posted on X, expressing regret that the February 28 White House meeting “did not go the way it was supposed to be” and saying Ukraine is ready to “work fast” to end the war “under the strong leadership” of the U.S. president.
In his Congress speech, Trump quoted Zelenskyy’s post, thanking him.
“I appreciate that he sent this letter, just got it a little while ago. Simultaneously, we've had serious discussions with Russia and have received strong signals that they are ready for peace. Wouldn't that be beautiful?” Trump said.
The Telegraph reported that before the post, Zelenskyy spoke with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who allegedly convinced him to back Trump’s peace plan and minerals deal.
Starmer reportedly said Trump wanted acknowledgment that Zelenskyy mishandled the Oval Office meeting. The Telegraph claimed Zelenskyy “relented” and posted on X after the call.
What happened in the USA?
On February 28, Zelenskyy arrived in Washington for his first White House meeting with Trump, where they were expected to sign a minerals deal.
A dispute erupted during the Oval Office talk with Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance over the Russia-Ukraine war.
Vance argued diplomacy could settle the conflict, but Zelenskyy countered that he had signed deals with Putin before, witnessed by France’s president and Germany’s chancellor.
Zelenskyy warned a bad deal would affect the United States, prompting Trump and Vance to retort they’d be “great” and that Zelenskyy cannot dictate terms.
Zelenskyy left early, and the minerals deal went unsigned. Trump later wrote that Zelenskyy “isn’t ready for peace” but “can return” when he changes his stance.
U.S. officials then demanded a public apology from Zelenskyy for the spat, and Trump halted all military aid to Ukraine, including funds from Joe Biden’s administration.
Meanwhile, leaders like France’s Emmanuel Macron and Poland’s Donald Tusk backed Zelenskyy.