Ukraine Looks to Europe After Trump Voices “Disappointment” in Zelenskyy

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was expected to press European leaders for firm backing on Monday after former President Donald Trump publicly criticized him for not reviewing a White House–drafted proposal aimed at ending Russia’s nearly four-year invasion.

Speaking to reporters Sunday ahead of the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, Trump said he was “disappointed” that Zelenskyy had not yet read the plan, claiming without detail that “Russia’s fine with it” and that Ukrainians “love it,” though he wasn’t sure Zelenskyy agreed.
Zelenskyy has not responded publicly to the remarks.

Trump’s comments contrasted with statements from Moscow, where a senior Kremlin official said after recent talks with U.S. envoys that the sides were “no closer” to resolving the conflict.

Over the weekend, Trump advisers Jared Kushner and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Ukrainian representatives in Florida. In a joint statement, both sides said any meaningful progress depends on Russia showing a “serious commitment” to long-term peace, including concrete steps toward de-escalation.