Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
The Mujahideen Movement: The two were killed along with dozens of others from their family in a cowardly Zionist assassination that targeted the Sabra neighborhood today
The Palestinian Mujahideen Movement mourns the martyrdom of its Secretary-General, Asaad Attiya Abu Sharia "Abu Al-Sheikh", along with his brother Ahmad
Abu Zaid: I believe that the Iranian operation was multi-layered, combining cyber and electronic attacks with coordinated on-the-ground infiltrations by agents
Abu Zaid: Usually, archives of such sensitivity are typically protected by a full-scale security system, but it appears that Iranian intelligence managed to make use of a gap in it
Strategic military expert Nidal Abu Zaid: Iran has stripped "Israel" of the superiority and deterrence long boasted by its security minister, chief of staff, and other top officials
Fallahpour: Iran may use these documents in its battle with the United States and Western countries over its nuclear program
Fallahpour: Iran may have obtained additional documents related to "Israel's" regional projects, not just its nuclear program
Fallahpour: The coming weeks will be full of surprises, as Iran has forced Israeli intelligence agencies into a state of psychological exhaustion
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Tehran, Siavash Fallahpour: Iran has redefined the concept of deterrence, shifting it away from traditional military balance toward a new strategic framework
Sources to Al Mayadeen: Number of documents so great that merely studying them, along with accompanying images and footage will require a great deal of time.

US needs Ukrainian leader eyeing lasting peace with Russia, Waltz says

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 2 Mar 2025 19:36
4 Min Read

Trump's advisor Mike Waltz expressed doubts about Zelensky's willingness to negotiate peace with Russia, suggesting a new leader may be needed if Zelensky doesn't comply with US demands.

Listen
  • x
  •  White House national security adviser Mike Waltz speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP)
    White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP)

The United States needs a Ukrainian leader willing to negotiate a lasting peace with Russia, a senior advisor to US President Donald Trump stated today, expressing doubt, however, that President Volodymyr Zelensky is prepared to do so.

Following a heated exchange between Trump, Zelensky, and Vice President JD Vance, White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz stated that the US seeks a peace agreement between Moscow and Kiev, involving territorial concessions in exchange for European-led security guarantees.

When asked whether Trump wanted Zelensky to step down, Waltz told CNN’s “State of the Union” program, “We need a leader that can deal with us, eventually deal with the Russians, and end this war.” He added, “If it becomes apparent that President Zelensky's either personal motivations or political motivations are divergent from ending the fighting in his country, then I think we have a real issue on our hands.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson also suggested that Ukraine might need a new leader if Zelensky does not comply with US demands. “Something has to change. Either he needs to come to his senses and come back to the table in gratitude, or someone else needs to lead the country to do that,” Johnson told NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

The disagreement between Zelensky and Trump reached a peak during their Oval Office meeting, where a deal between Ukraine and the US to develop Ukraine’s natural resources remained unsigned. Waltz noted, “It wasn’t clear to us that President Zelensky was ready to negotiate and in good faith towards an end of this war.”

Related News

Morgan Ortagus to exit US role in Lebanon amid policy shift

Trump-Netanyahu rift grows, US pursues Mideast plans without 'Israel'

Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized on ABC's “This Week” that the US has not been in contact with Zelensky or Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha since the conflict over the deal. “We’ll be ready to reengage when they’re ready to make peace," Rubio stated.

Rubio criticizes European nations for lacking a clear plan to end war

On the issue of European countries’ role in ending the conflict, Rubio stated that many European nations have no clear plan to resolve the war. “I’ve asked every foreign minister I meet with, tell me your idea of how this turns out. Most don’t have a plan,” he said. He further criticized some countries for suggesting that the conflict could last at least another year, calling it “not a plan that the president is on board with.”

US Republicans, on their part, have raised concerns about Zelensky’s willingness to negotiate a fair peace deal. Waltz stated, “We need a leader that can deal with us, eventually deal with the Russians, and end this war.” He warned, “If it becomes apparent that President Zelensky's personal or political motivations are divergent from ending the fighting, we have a real issue.”

The remarks from top US officials follow Trump’s public break with Zelensky during the Oval Office meeting, which resulted in a failure to sign a preliminary deal on Ukrainian mineral rights. While European leaders have strongly supported Ukraine, US Republicans are questioning whether any peace agreement can be reached as long as Zelensky remains in power.

"Either he needs to come to his senses and come back to the table in gratitude, or someone else needs to lead the country to do that,” said Republican Mike Johnson. Senior Democrats have condemned Trump’s stance, with Senator Chris Murphy describing the White House as an “arm of the Kremlin” and criticizing its perceived alignment with Russian interests.

Secretary of State Rubio clarified that the US recognizes Russia's role in the conflict but believes that peace can only be achieved if both sides are willing to negotiate.

“No one here is claiming Vladimir Putin is going to get the Nobel Peace Prize this year,” Rubio said, adding, “You cannot end a war unless both sides come to the table.”

  • Mike Waltz
  • Russia
  • Trump advisers
  • Volodymyr Zelensky
  • Ukraine war
  • Donald Trump
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Lebanon's PM Nawaf Salam meets with US envoy Morgan Ortagus in Beirut on April 5, 2025 (Dalati Nohra via AP)AP)

Morgan Ortagus to exit US role in Lebanon amid policy shift

  • Politics
  • 1 Jun 2025
A Palestinian woman mourns as she embraces the body of her daughter Mayar Abu Odeh, 8, who was killed in an Israeli army strike on Gaza. at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (AP)

French port workers block arms shipment to 'Israel' amid Gaza genocide

  • Politics
  • 4 Jun 2025
New Syrian group claims Golan strike, vows resistance to 'Israel'

New Syrian group claims Golan strike, vows resistance to 'Israel'

  • Politics
  • 4 Jun 2025
Palestinians struggle to get donated food at a community kitchen in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, June 2, 2025. (AP)

Boston Consulting Group withdraws from GHF

  • Palestine
  • 3 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/pentagon-chief--nato-likely-to-back-trump-s-5--defence-spend
Politics

Europe spent $3 trillion on defense, but got little in return - FT

Power, parties, and scandal: Trump’s ties to Epstein: Telegraph
Europe

Power, parties, and scandal: Trump’s ties to Epstein - The Telegraph

Eilat port as seen from the sea, occupied Palestine, March 12 2009 (wikimedia commons)
Politics

YAF operations forced 80% plunge in Eilat port revenues in 2024

EU backs International Criminal Court after US sanctions judges
Europe

EU backs International Criminal Court after US sanctions judges

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS