₦airaland Forum

President hits back at Ukraine’s complaint that it has been left out of US-Russia talks, saying it had years to make a deal ‘without the loss of much land’

President Donald Trump has criticised Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying he was “disappointed” that the Ukrainian leader complained about being left out of talks between the US and Russia over ending the Ukraine war.

Trump also seemed to blame Kyiv for Moscow’s invasion – even as he said he was more confident of a deal to end the war after US-Russia talks – claiming Ukraine could have “made a deal” to avert war.

“I’m very disappointed, I hear that they’re upset about not having a seat [at the talks],” Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida when asked about the Ukrainian reaction. The US president said a “half baked” negotiator could have secured a settlement years ago “without the loss of much land”.

“Today I heard, ‘oh, well, we weren’t invited.’ Well, you’ve been there for three years ... You should have never started it. You could have made a deal,” he said.

Speaking in Florida on Tuesday night, Trump increased pressure on Zelenskyy to hold elections – echoing one of Moscow’s key demands.

The US president also suggested that he could meet Russian President Vladimir Putin before the end of the month as Washington overhauls its stance towards Russia in a shift that has alarmed European leaders.

Zelenskyy had earlier on Tuesday criticised the US-Russia talks for excluding Kyiv, saying efforts to end the war must be “fair” and involve European countries, while postponing his own trip to Saudi Arabia, where the US-Russia talks took place.

Talks “are taking place between representatives of Russia and representatives of the United States of America. About Ukraine – about Ukraine again – and without Ukraine,” he said.

The Ukrainian president’s comments appeared to anger Trump, who proceeded to launch a series of attacks on Zelenskyy, who has led Kyiv’s fight against Russia’s February 2022 invasion.

Asked whether the US would support Russia’s demands to force Zelenskyy to hold new elections as part of any deal, Trump said: “They want a seat at the table, but you could say ... wouldn’t the people of Ukraine have a say? It’s been a long time since we’ve had an election.

“That’s not a Russian thing, that’s something coming from me, from other countries.

“We have a situation where we haven’t had elections in Ukraine, where we have essentially martial law in Ukraine, where the leader in Ukraine – I mean, I hate to say it, but he’s down at 4% approval rating – and where a country has been blown to smithereens. Most of the cities are laying on their sides. The buildings are collapsed. It looks like a massive demolition site.”

In an interview with German public broadcaster ARD aired on Tuesday, Zelenskyy defended his popularity, saying: “I’m president of Ukraine because 73% of people voted for me. And today I’m president because the majority in my country support me. I’m a patriot, just like the people defending our country.

“Of course Russia wants to get rid of me. Maybe not physically any longer, like they did at the beginning of the war but politically. And that’s absolutely understandable as I’m a very uncomfortable person, uncomfortable for Putin.”

Zelensky was elected in 2019 for a five-year term, but has remained in office as Ukraine is still under martial law.

Sean Savett, who was spokesperson for the White House National Security Council under then president Joe Biden, said in a social media post: “Sounds like Trump bought Putin’s propaganda hook, line, and sinker.

“A reminder no one should need: Putin started the war by invading Ukraine unprovoked and his forces have committed war crimes against the Ukrainian people. Russia is the party responsible for this war continuing.”

European leaders are increasingly fearful that Trump is giving too many concessions to Russia in his pursuit of the Ukraine deal that he promised to seal even before taking office. But Trump insisted that his only goal was “peace” to end the largest land war in Europe since the second world war.

Trump said he was “much more confident” of a deal after the talks, adding: “They were very good. Russia wants to do something. They want to stop the savage barbarianism.

“I think I have the power to end this war, and I think it’s going very well,” Trump said.

The US leader added that he was “all for” European peacekeepers in Ukraine if he can strike a deal to end the war. “If they want to do that, that’s great, I’m all for it,” he said.

His comments came after Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said his country would not accept Nato peacekeeping forces in Ukraine under any peace deal.

Trump stunned the world when he announced last week that he had spoken to Putin, and that the two leaders had agreed to start peace talks and to travel to meet each other in Moscow and Washington.

The US president then said they would hold a first meeting, most likely also in Saudi Arabia. Although no date has been announced, when asked if he would met Putin before the end of the month, Trump said “probably”.

Meanwhile, European officials urged the US not to side with Moscow. Kaja Kallas, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, tweeted: “Together with European Foreign Ministers, I spoke to [US secretary of state Marco Rubio] after his talks in Riyadh. Russia will try to divide us. Let’s not walk into their traps. By working together with the US, we can achieve a just and lasting peace – on Ukraine’s terms.”

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/19/trump-ukraine-war-russia-could-have-made-a-deal

After this war, I'm not sure Putin would invade any country again. He's tired of it already.

Hezzyluv:
After this war, I'm not sure Putin would invade any country again. He's tired of it already.

People said the same thing after Vietnam but here we are

Russia must win if not UK USA evil nato will enslave Africa like they did before *God bless putin God bless mother Russia

European leaders are praying secretly for it to end they just putting out bravery to the public so they don't look weak 🤣😂🤣

When you hear our way of life.. Speech from UK USA evil nato.. What it means our way of exploiting others... ..


Trump is not doing the bidding of war mongers, that spent over 4trillion in Iraq and Afghanistan and still ran out of Afghanistan, 🤣

End the war and embrace peace.

TRUMP IS A WORLD DISRUPTER

Lol Ukraine was used as a pawn in their Chess game

You are making decisions on behalf of a "Sovereign State" .. without their presence

So, what's Sovereignty

Ukraine should fight to death!!!

Hezzyluv:
After this war, I'm not sure Putin would invade any country again. He's tired of it already.

Read about Hitler and what he did to Europe.

Putin using same play book..

H

western media still pushing propaganda. They still think Ukraine is winning 🤣, Biden sold them a false hope that they Ukraine can enter nato and take slavs land that belongs to mother Russia

*God bless putin God bless mother Russia

Biden the Satan associate that destroyed Ukraine below


Biden and Obama funded boko haram in Nigeria
.
Nothing good comes from UK USA evil nato
They only want to have others weak because they can't compete

Thanks you putin for killing those who wanted one world government before it time to come

Hezzyluv:
After this war, I'm not sure Putin would invade any country again. He's tired of it already.

Which Putin are you talking about?

I dont know if its cowardice, but I would not allow my people die in numbers in the course of fighting for anything

The thing is that Trump never forgets people who stood by him or helped him to win election. Putin interfered in his first election against Hillary Clinton and won the election. So he will stand with Russia no matter what.

Zelensky must be feeling extremely bad right now and questioning his leadership skills. If I were him, I would maintain my resolve.

All this while, he was trying his best to fend off a bully, and now, there are two of them. It's a pity

Trump my guy. Always hitting truth directly from the front without considering emotions of people

Whether Ukraine likes it or not Putin will achieve his invasion objectives the hard way or the easy way, Biden picked the hard way, trump is smart he wants the easy way after much destruction

Trump you are very wrong with this one


Though I know you are trying to massage the ego of that Russian dictator to get him to end the senseless war he started.


But don't be too sure that it would end the war because Europe is rallying behind Ukraine now and may reject any unfavorable peace deal to Ukraine, which will escalate the war and may even get things messy cos most European leaders are angry with you Trump and Putin and may damn the consequences and back Ukraine fully which would turn the tides against Russia and Putin.


Let's watch and see

At the end..., the war is not in favour of both Russia and Ukraine.

President Trump is a Bully..

GodsFAV0R:
Zelensky

I pity the guy. They are trying to settle the war without involving him

I agree with Trump

True...

Hezzyluv:
After this war, I'm not sure Putin would invade any country again. He's tired of it already.

Putin will never get tired of attacking anything that will be a threat to Russia, he is not lazy

Wisdom is indeed profitable for leading.... !

adioolayi:
You are making decisions on behalf of a "Sovereign State" .. without their presence

So, what's Sovereignty

Ukraine should fight to death!!!

u go follow them die

My own take from this new development is that in this life, make sure you are succesful, powerful, and rich. No one will give you any crap.

Gaza War: Israel pays heavily for weapons from the US. Business is business. Not saying they don't have support, but they still pay. While Palestine is all about aids here and there. Trump came on board and supported the stronger nation that he will benefit more from economically and financially. Period.

Russian - Ukraine War: Trump is not ready to drop one single cent for Ukraine anymore. And he thought about it that the best way is to invite the stronger nation to the table. If Ukraine had its money to fight this war, who will tell it to go to places? Nope. Ukraine is already paralysed without US fund, and it has no where to go. OK. Let Zelensky go to the rest of NATO and let them support him. Alright, the UK wants to send down troops there to make sure the agreed peace is carried out..lol. Why can't the UK enforce a reasonable peace that includes Ukraine on the table instead of going there to enforce the peace agreed without Ukriane? Maybe the UK will backout which is a reasonable action to take. LOL. Maybe the rest of NATO can go ahead and support Ukraine without the US. This is what I expect them to do to show that the US does not have the final say. Can they do it?

Hmmm. It seems NATO is nothing without the US. The UK, France, and Germany are nothing if they all cannot do anything. I expect them to show their worth now, and if they can't, mehn..... they are nothing.

In this life, make sure you are successful oooo. Even in family matters, no one will take your words serious. You go just be a bench warmer in family meetings. Wetin poor man who dem dey support wan talk when big boys and girls drop money? This is the fate of Africa too. This is the fate of black South Africa too, and it is the reason Trump has the gut to say that they are confisticating land of the white. Which land white get for South Africa? Get money ooo. Walahi. Else, dem go feed you poo and sh*t.

Trump should not negotiate without the input of Ukraine, its sabotage Ukraine is a sovereign nation let them negotiate by them self because of tomorrow

Mrfeel:
Whether Ukraine likes it or not Putin will achieve his invasion objectives the hard way or the easy way, Biden picked the hard way, trump is smart he wants the easy way after much destruction

Don't be too sure. Ukraine may likely reject any unfavorable peace deal and EU countries are now considering backing Ukraine fully even as UK makes plans to station military fully in Ukraine.


This Trump's one sided peace deal might turn things messy. Russia should tread with caution, whenever you think all is well with you is when trouble usually strike hardest

Kingsnairaland:
Russia must win if not UK USA evil nato will enslave Africa like they did before *God bless putin God bless mother Russia

European leaders are praying secretly for it to end they just putting out bravery to the public so they don't look weak 🤣😂🤣

When you hear our way of life.. Speach from UK USA evil nato.. What it means our way of exploiting other...


Trump is not doing the bidding of war mongers, that spent over 4trillion in Iraq and Afghanistan and still ran out of Afghanistan, 🤣

Gods Blessings is not for anyone that Kills others .

USA , UK Any Country.

I side with Trump on this. All these war mongers in Europe couldn't move a finger towards making peace before the escalation of hostilities but now they want to dictate what Trump does to advance peace. Had Zelenskky listened to voice of reason this war shouldnt have started in the first place. He should conduct elevyions if he wins, ok. He can't be a dictator and talk about fairness.

Great100000:
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/19/trump-ukraine-war-russia-could-have-made-a-deal

He's very right on this.
The war was totally baseless.

adioolayi:
You are making decisions on behalf of a "Sovereign State" .. without their presence

So, what's Sovereignty

Ukraine should fight to death!!!

Talk is cheap
Maybe you should get down there and "fight to the death".


All these keyboard warriors sef