Trump, Zelenskyy trade barbs as US moves to end Ukraine war

Trust challenge

The restoration of trust between Washington and Moscow is vital if the two powers are to tackle issues of mutual concern, such as the Ukraine conflict. "It is impossible to resolve many problems, including the Ukrainian crisis, without raising the level of trust between Russia and the United States," Putin said.

The Russian leader also claimed that Trump was beginning to get what he described as "objective information" on the Ukraine conflict, without specifying, and said that Trump had assured him that Ukraine would be included in any future peace negotiations.

Trump's willingness to engage in a direct diplomatic dialogue with Russia so soon after taking office represents a remarkable change of direction in US policy, which, under the previous Democratic Biden administration, was a major backer of Ukraine's war effort and denounced Russia for launching its military invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Trump, on the other hand—who was a fierce critic of Biden's support for Ukraine during the presidential election campaign—takes a different view, claiming that Ukraine was responsible for starting the war and suggesting that Kyiv should repay Washington for the billions of dollars it has so far provided in support.

While Zelenskyy has rejected Trump's claims, the US leader believes a different approach is needed if a lasting peace deal is to be negotiated to end the conflict.

In comments made after the Riyadh summit, Trump said the Russians "have the cards" in any peace talks to end the war because they have "taken a lot of territory".

"I think the Russians want to see the war end; I really do. I think they have the cards a little bit because, you know, they've taken a lot of territory. They have the cards," the US president told reporters on Air Force One. When asked if he believed Putin wanted peace, Trump replied, "I do".

Deepening rift

But while optimism was expressed in both Washington and Moscow about the outcome of the Riyadh talks, a deepening rift between Trump and Zelenskyy about how the peace talks should proceed could have a profound impact on any future outcome.

After Zelenskyy criticised the Trump administration's willingness to engage with Russia, Trump responded with a personal attack on the Ukrainian leader, denouncing Zelenskyy on his Truth Social platform as "A Dictator without Elections," a reference to the fact that Ukraine had to cancel last year's presidential elections because of the war with Russia. "Zelenskyy better move fast, or he is not going to have a Country left," Trump added.

In an apparent reference to the enormous amount of Western aid Ukraine has received during the past three years, Trump continued, "Zelenskyy probably wants to keep the 'gravy train' going. I love Ukraine, but Zelenskyy has done a terrible job; his Country is shattered, and MILLIONS have unnecessarily died."

Under the terms of martial law arrangements that were introduced at the start of the Ukraine conflict, the country's constitution bars it from holding elections. Zelenskyy's five-year term was due to end in May 2024, and Putin has used the cancellation of the elections to claim that there is no point in negotiating with the Ukrainian leader because he does not have the authority to sign a peace deal.

Despite the war of words, efforts are still continuing to find a solution to the Ukraine conflict, with Trump's special envoy, General Keith Kellogg, arriving in Kyiv to hold talks with Zelenskyy.

Kellogg in Kyiv

Upon arrival, Kellogg said his mission was mainly to "listen" to Ukraine's concerns and relay his findings to the White House.

"We understand the need for security guarantees. We understand... the importance of the sovereignty of this nation," Kellogg said.

"Part of my mission is to sit and listen and see what your concerns are."

Zelenskyy also voiced optimism about Kellogg's visit, insisting he wants to work hard for "a lasting peace" with Russia.

"It is crucial for us that the meeting and our overall cooperation with America be constructive," Zelenskyy remarked in his evening address to the nation. "Together with America and Europe, peace can be more secure, and that is our goal."

So, while there is clearly much work to be done before a final deal can be reached, the groundbreaking talks between the US and Russia this week mean that they have now begun in earnest.