White House says no 'ambush' planned for Zelenskyy's Washington visit
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
The US leadership did not plan any "ambush" when inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Washington, according to US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz.
"Success looks like President Zelenskyy sitting down and talking the terms of peace, talking about what he needs to see, Ukraine needs to see to get to a partial ceasefire, a permanent ceasefire, and an end to this war,” Waltz said.
He noted that time is not on Zelenskyy's side to indefinitely prolong the conflict. Waltz also added that US stockpiles and ammunition are also not unlimited, stressing that "the time to talk is now."
"This was no ambush. This was an opportunity and a moment, and I think President Zelensky truly did his country a real disservice by not having a positive outcome Friday,” Waltz added.
In his opinion, the quarrel between Trump and Zelenskyy calls into question the conclusion of the minerals deal.
A quarrel between Trump and Zelenskyy
Last Friday, February 28, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump met at the White House. During their conversation in the Oval Office, they had a dispute.
Trump didn't like it when Zelenskyy said that the consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine would be felt even in the United States. After that, the American leader began to communicate with the Ukrainian President in a raised voice.
As a result, the planned press conference between Zelenskyy and Trump was canceled. The signing of the minerals deal was also canceled.
Against this background, Western media wrote that such a quarrel could have been planned by Trump and Vance.
At the same time, CDU leader Friedrich Merz noted that the clash between Trump and Zelenskyy was a pre-planned escalation.
