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