Trump on Zelenskyy: 'He doesn’t have the cards, only got one thing - Donald Trump'

In an interview with The New York Times, Trump confirmed remarks he made in February that Zelenskyy has no "cards" in negotiations over Ukraine, and that he has had none from day one.

“That’s true. Well, he doesn’t have the cards. He didn’t — he didn’t have the cards from Day 1,” he stressed.

When asked what this means, he replied that his Ukrainian counterpart has only one thing.

“He’s only got one thing. Donald Trump," the US president said.

On February 28, 2025, a clash broke out between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House.

“You're gambling with the lives of millions of people. You're gambling with World War III. What you are doing is really disrespectful to this country and you can't tell us what to do,” the US president said at the time.

Peace talks on Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a bilateral document on security guarantees for Ukraine from the United States is essentially ready. The next stage is its finalization at the highest level.

According to Axios, a meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump to finalize the security guarantees agreement could take place as early as next week.

The Ukrainian leader suggested that at this meeting, Trump may provide an answer regarding the timelines of security guarantees for Ukraine.

Besides, Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed hope to receive a response from Russia on the 20-point peace plan by the end of this month. Zelenskyy said he wants to receive it before he finally agrees to the security guarantees and a recovery plan with US President Donald Trump.

Last week in Paris, Kremlin special envoy Kirill Dmitriev was spotted. According to media reports, he was received at the United States Embassy.

Axios wrote that Trump advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Kirill Dmitriev in Paris to discuss the US peace plan for Ukraine.