U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy for the Ukraine conflict met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Thursday, but it remained unclear whether their talks had eased the unprecedented wartime rift between the formerly close allies.
Zelenskyy had earlier struck a conciliatory tone after accusing Trump of repeating Russian disinformation in response to the U.S. president’s accusation that Ukraine had started the three-year-old war with Russia.
Trump went on to refer to Zelenskyy as a “dictator” who should act fast or lose Ukraine.
Trump’s Policy Shift
Trump, in office for just a month, is pushing for a quick deal to end the war and has alarmed Washington’s European allies by leaving them and Ukraine out of initial talks with Russia.
His vice president, JD Vance, said on Thursday he believed that an end to the conflict was near and there was no stopping the war without speaking to Russia.
Trump’s Ukraine and Russia envoy Keith Kellogg said on arriving in Kyiv on Wednesday that he was there to listen.
The two men shook hands and patted each other on the backs as they met on Thursday. Zelenskyy smiled and told the Trump envoy: “It’s good to see you, how are you? … thank you for coming.”
No Immediate Reaction
There was no immediate word from either side on the outcome of the talks.
Trump is seeking to reestablish ties with Russia and also invest in Ukraine’s resources of minerals critical to the energy transition. Ukraine rejected an initial U.S. plan as it did not include security guarantees.
White House national security adviser Mike Waltz said on Thursday that Ukraine should rein in its criticism of the United States and agree to the minerals deal.
“They need to tone it down and take a hard look and sign that deal,” he told Fox News.
Security Guarantees
European leaders have responded to Trump’s apparent about-turn on Ukraine by pledging to step up spending on defence and some are considering a U.S.-backed European peacekeeping force for the country.
The Kremlin says the plan is a major cause for concern but Zelenskyy and NATO have welcomed it.
“It is vital that … Russia will never again try to take one more square kilometre of Ukrainian land,” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said, adding that this would entail robust security guarantees.
“While there is much that still needs to be decided, there is no question that Europe has a vital role to play in securing peace in Ukraine,” he told reporters in Bratislava.
‘Crucial’ Meeting
Zelenskyy told Ukrainians on Wednesday evening that it was crucial that his meeting with Kellogg, and cooperation with Washington in general, were “constructive”.
“We are standing strong on our own two feet. I am counting on Ukrainian unity, our courage … on the unity of Europe and the pragmatism of America,” Zelenskyy said in a video address.
“Because America needs success just as much as we do,” he added.
Two people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Wednesday that the Trump administration may seek to strike a simplified minerals deal and later negotiate detailed terms.
Russian Advancement
Russian forces have laid Ukrainian cities, towns and villages to waste and are edging forward along parts of the 1,000-km (600-mile) front line across eastern and southern Ukraine. Moscow controls a fifth of Ukraine and claims ownership of more.
Ukrainian officials say a ceasefire would just give Russia time to prepare for further aggression.
However, the head of the Ukrainian military intelligence agency said on Thursday there could be a ceasefire this year while casting doubt on its durability.
(With inputs from Reuters)
