Trump Says Putin Wants Ukraine to Succeed — Zelensky’s Reaction Draws Attention
Political
Following a meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky in Florida, Donald Trump said that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants Ukraine to succeed — a remark that prompted a notably ironic reaction from the Ukrainian leader, even as both sides claimed major progress on a peace plan.
On December 28, Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky met in Florida, after which Trump made a controversial statement regarding Russia’s stance on Ukraine’s future.
Asked whether he had discussed Russia’s responsibility for Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction, Trump said he had raised the issue during a phone call with Vladimir Putin prior to the talks with Zelensky.
“Yes, Russia will help. Russia wants Ukraine to ultimately succeed. It may sound strange, but I explained to President Zelensky that President Putin is favorably inclined toward Ukraine’s success — including through supplying energy, electricity, and other goods at very low prices,” Trump said.
Zelensky reacted with restrained irony, raising his eyebrows, smiling, and briefly replying “Yes,” a moment that did not go unnoticed by the media.
Both leaders reported significant progress toward a peace settlement. Trump said the plan was 90–95 percent agreed and warned that delaying a deal could result in Ukraine losing additional territory. He announced further contacts with Zelensky in the coming two weeks, including one scheduled for December 29.
Zelensky confirmed that most elements of the peace plan had been agreed upon, with U.S. security guarantees finalized and trilateral guarantees involving the U.S. and Europe nearly complete. He described the territorial issue as the most difficult and unresolved, suggesting that the final agreement could be submitted to parliament or put to a national referendum.
Asked whether he had discussed Russia’s responsibility for Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction, Trump said he had raised the issue during a phone call with Vladimir Putin prior to the talks with Zelensky.
“Yes, Russia will help. Russia wants Ukraine to ultimately succeed. It may sound strange, but I explained to President Zelensky that President Putin is favorably inclined toward Ukraine’s success — including through supplying energy, electricity, and other goods at very low prices,” Trump said.
Zelensky reacted with restrained irony, raising his eyebrows, smiling, and briefly replying “Yes,” a moment that did not go unnoticed by the media.
Both leaders reported significant progress toward a peace settlement. Trump said the plan was 90–95 percent agreed and warned that delaying a deal could result in Ukraine losing additional territory. He announced further contacts with Zelensky in the coming two weeks, including one scheduled for December 29.
Zelensky confirmed that most elements of the peace plan had been agreed upon, with U.S. security guarantees finalized and trilateral guarantees involving the U.S. and Europe nearly complete. He described the territorial issue as the most difficult and unresolved, suggesting that the final agreement could be submitted to parliament or put to a national referendum.
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