‘Time to Make Things Right’: Zelensky Extends Olive Branch to Trump — Says ‘We Do Really Value How Much America Has Done’

(AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared his gratitude to the United States and President Donald Trump on Tuesday in an apparent effort to mend fences after Friday’s rancorous meeting between the two leaders in the Oval Office.

In a statement posted to X, Zelensky opened by saying, “I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace” and declared “Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible.”

“Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians,” Zelensky said. “My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.”

The Ukrainian leader then expressed gratitude to the U.S. and Trump for their support in the conflict.

“We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence,” Zelensky said. “And we remember the moment when things changed when President Trump provided Ukraine with Javelins. We are grateful for this.”

He added, of the Oval Office dust-up, “Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be. It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.”

During a news conference on Monday at the White House, Trump hinted at an ouster of Zelensky if he resisted the U.S. effort to broker a peace agreement with Russia.

“Maybe somebody doesn’t want to make a deal, and if somebody doesn’t want to make a deal, I think that person won’t be around very long,” Trump said. “That person will not be listened to very long because I believe that Russia wants to make a deal.”