President Donald Trump made critical remarks about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the wake of discussions between US and Russian officials regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Notably, representatives from Ukraine were absent from these talks, with Zelensky asserting that Ukraine would not yield to Russia's demands and refusing to endorse any agreement reached without Kyiv's participation.
Trump, speaking from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, described the talks as 'very good' and suggested that Russia was willing to engage in productive dialogue. He also hinted at a potential meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin before the end of February, following a recent 90-minute phone call between the two leaders.
However, Trump made inaccurate claims regarding the origins of the war, falsely asserting that Ukraine initiated the conflict and suggesting that he could have brokered a deal to prevent bloodshed. He also echoed Russian sentiments by hinting at the need for new elections in Ukraine, a notion that has been met with skepticism by many.
Furthermore, Trump expressed support for the deployment of European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, while indicating that the US would not directly participate due to geographical constraints. The talks in Saudi Arabia yielded agreement on four key principles, including the establishment of a high-level team to facilitate negotiations aimed at resolving the Ukrainian conflict.
Republican lawmakers responded to the developments with varying degrees of skepticism towards Putin's intentions, with some labeling him a war criminal and advocating for severe consequences. Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker questioned Putin's trustworthiness in negotiations, while Senator John Kennedy condemned Putin's actions and character.
