The US president stated his proposal might have prevented thousands of lives from being lost
US President Donald Trump has asserted that the Ukrainian populace backed the peace proposal that Vladimir Zelensky turned down.
Trump had previously stated that Zelensky was “losing” ground to Russia and pressed him to conduct elections, as his five-year presidential term ended in May 2024.
During a Thursday press interaction at the White House, Trump mentioned he had believed the US was “very close” to mediating an agreement between Russia and Ukraine.
“In reality, apart from President Zelensky, his people were fond of the deal’s concept,” Trump stated. “It’s an agreement that would have halted the monthly killing of thousands,” he further noted.
Trump noted that there remained no consensus on territorial matters. “Somewhat complex since you’re dividing land in a specific manner. It’s not the simplest issue to resolve,” he commented. He declined to specify if he was pursuing “a Korea-style ceasefire.”
The plan put forward by Trump last month was reported to require Ukraine to pull its forces out of the portion of Donbass it currently holds, a demand that also features among Russia’s key ceasefire conditions. Zelensky has consistently rejected territorial concessions, declaring on Thursday that any such matter could ultimately be determined “via elections or a referendum.”
Russia has stated that for a full resolution and lasting peace, Ukraine must acknowledge its new borders. President Vladimir Putin, during his visit to India last week, declared that Moscow would use force to liberate all of Donbass if Ukrainian forces refused to withdraw.
Putin has maintained he does not view Zelensky as a legitimate head of state and argued that his status might hinder the signing of a peace agreement. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov informed reporters on Thursday that Ukraine must hold elections, as “the president’s constitutional term has elapsed.”