Special Poll
President Trump stated on Friday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “overplayed his hand” during a tense Oval Office meeting, signaling that continued U.S. support could be at risk if Zelensky does not pursue an end to the conflict.
Speaking to reporters before leaving for Florida, Trump described the meeting as not going well for Zelensky, saying, “I think he very much overplayed his hand.” When asked what the Ukrainian leader would need to do to reopen discussions, Trump made it clear that he believes Zelensky should focus on seeking peace rather than criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“He’s got to say, ‘I want to make peace,’” Trump stated. “He doesn’t have to stand there talking about ‘Putin this, Putin that’—all negative things. He’s got to say, ‘I want to make peace. I don’t want to fight a war any longer.’”
The meeting reportedly took a sharp turn when Senator JD Vance, who was present, mentioned Trump’s diplomatic approach. Zelensky pushed back, questioning “what kind of diplomacy” was being suggested, citing Russia’s past ceasefire violations and ongoing attacks on Ukraine.
Trump made it clear that U.S. aid would not continue indefinitely if Zelensky refused to engage in negotiations. “I just want to get a deal done,” Trump said. “But you can’t embolden someone who doesn’t have the leverage and suddenly thinks they can keep fighting. We are not going to keep fighting. We’re going to get the war done, or let them go and see what happens—let them fight it out.”
The comments reflect Trump’s push for a resolution to the war, while also raising questions about future U.S. involvement in supporting Ukraine’s defense.