Trump proposed replacing Zelensky at peace talks with Russia
US President Donald Trump said that negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war on behalf of Ukraine should be conducted by someone else, not Vladimir Zelensky. The American leader again accused the Ukrainian president of unwillingness to conclude a peace agreement.
Trump stated this on October 19 while speaking to journalists. A video recording of his remarks was published by the official White House account Rapid Response 47 on the social network X.
According to Trump, the current president of Ukraine is not helping Washington's efforts to end the war.
“I think it's time for someone else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine,” — said the American president.
Trump also again expressed doubt about Zelensky's readiness to end the war. At the same time, he emphasized that he himself seeks to stop the fighting and loss of life.
The US president recalled previous disagreements with the Ukrainian leader and said that Ukraine could have concluded a more favorable agreement earlier had Zelensky heeded his recommendations.
The American leader claims that the delay in peaceful settlement led to enormous human losses. However, his estimates of the dead were not accompanied by supporting data.
US continues talks on ending the war
The statement came amid a new escalation of tensions between Kyiv and Washington. Earlier, Trump suspended the introduction of some sanctions against Russia, explaining the decision by the need to preserve the possibility of peace talks with Moscow.
The Ukrainian side, for its part, continues diplomatic contacts with the American administration. On October 18, Zelensky reported a conversation with US President's special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner devoted to further steps to end the war.
However, Trump did not specify who exactly he would like to see as Ukraine's representative instead of Zelensky. The American president did not present an official proposal to change the composition of the Ukrainian negotiating delegation or a specific new peace plan.
Based on materials from: White House — Rapid Response 47, The Guardian, New York Post.
