US President Donald Trump has issued another criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying in a message on Truth Social "this guy doesn’t want there to be Peace as long as he has America’s backing." Trump's Truth message links to an AP article citing Zelenskyy as saying a deal to end the war, “is still very, very far away.”
- Trump's message also appears to criticise European leaders, who moved on Sunday to position themself as Ukraine's primary security guarantor. Trump claims that European leaders "stated flatly that they cannot do the job [of supporting Ukraine] without the U.S.", with Trump adding: "What are they thinking?"
- The message comes after Zelenskyy indicated yesterday in a lengthy thread on X that he is willing to re-engage with Trump: “We are ready to sign the minerals agreement, and it will be the first step toward security guarantees."
- However, Zelenkyy reiterated that: "A ceasefire without security guarantees is dangerous for Ukraine... Ukrainian people need to know that America is on our side.” Those security guarantees are unlikely to be forthcoming, with the Trump administration adamant that enhanced commercial ties are sufficient to deter future Russian aggression.
- Further European action will be coordinated at a special EU summit on Thursday - to include the UK and other non-EU NATO members - that will discuss “a new defense spending tool and other measures including loosening fiscal rules and incentives to get banks to lend for defense projects,” according to Politico.