US Vice President Accuses Zelensky of Avoiding Peace Talks During White House Meeting

During a recent visit to Washington, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky faced criticism from US President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance regarding his willingness to engage in peace negotiations with Russia. In a recent interview with Fox News, Vance reiterated his stance that Zelensky is not prepared to discuss potential peace agreements. He emphasized that Trump had clearly stated that the door remains open for Zelensky to converse about achieving peace.

Vance expressed discontent, stating, "One cannot enter the Oval Office or any other venue and refuse to discuss the details of a peace agreement." This assertion comes in light of an unprecedented confrontation that occurred during Zelensky's latest visit, where both Trump and Vance leveled accusations at him during a public press event.

In response to the criticism, Zelensky underscored the futility of previous diplomatic agreements with Russian President Vladimir Putin since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, arguing that Putin is not a trustworthy negotiating partner.

Vance had previously accused Zelensky of showing a lack of respect during their interactions, a claim he has now reiterated. Following the abrupt conclusion of their meeting in the Oval Office, Zelensky's team reportedly sought to continue the discussion; however, Trump declined this request.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has persisted for over three years, with the country defending itself against Russian aggression. Trump has stated his intention to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, although this approach has raised concerns among Ukrainian officials, while receiving positive feedback from Moscow.

Vance conveyed that the only feasible path to resolving the conflict lies in Trump's proposed approach, urging both Zelensky and Putin to consider this route. He stressed that escalating tensions through public insults towards Putin would not benefit anyone.

Moreover, Vance pointed out that the American public does not wish to see indefinite financial support for the war, suggesting that it would be in the best interests of Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and Europe to bring the conflict to an end. He criticized the notion of investing money in munitions for a prolonged conflict, calling it unsustainable.

In light of recent developments, including a pause in US military aid to Ukraine, Vance highlighted the urgency of reassessing strategies to ensure that the lack of support does not adversely affect Ukraine's defense capabilities on the battlefield.

As for the security guarantees that Zelensky has requested, Vance asserted that a reliable way to ensure that Putin's forces do not re-invade Ukraine is to link Ukraine's future with economic benefits for the United States. This comes amid ongoing discussions regarding a resource agreement between the Trump administration and Ukraine, which includes access to critical rare earth materials located within Ukraine.