President Donald Trump said a deal ending hostilities “could be made very fast,” but he said Zelenskyy doesn’t seem to be interested.
“Now, maybe somebody doesn’t want to make a deal,” Trump said Monday, not naming Zelenskyy but clearly referring to him. “And if somebody doesn’t want to make a deal, I think that person won’t be around very long. That person will not be listened to very long. Because I believe that Russia wants to make a deal.”
Zelenskyy says Russian President Vladimir Putin can’t be trusted to maintain a ceasefire, and Ukrainians won’t lay down their arms without security commitments from the United States and Europe.
Trump’s comments join a chorus of his advisers and allies who have suggested Zelenskyy may need to step aside.
Trump is still describing the economic agreement with Ukraine “a great deal” after refusing to sign it last week when he said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was disrespectful during a contentious Oval Office meeting.
Trump delivers a speech to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night.