Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called his meeting with President Donald Trump last week "regrettable." (Photos supplied by Getty Images)
Zelenskyy's statement comes after White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz called Zelenskyy's clash with Trump "ridiculous" in a Monday appearance on Fox News. Waltz said Trump's White House needed to hear that Zelenskyy "has regret for what happened" and that he is now "ready to engage in peace talks."
The drawdown of hostilities referenced in Zelenskyy's statement mirrors that proposed by European leaders in a meeting with Zelenskyy on Sunday.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron suggested a freeze on strikes from the air, sea and on energy infrastructure for 30 days in Ukraine. Macron told French media the window could be used to negotiate a wider peace deal.
Trump's White House has yet to weigh in on the proposal.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer walks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as he hosts a European Leaders Summit at Lancaster House in London, United Kingdom on March 02, 2025. (Photo by Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Zelenskyy's statement came less than a day after Trump paused all aid to Ukraine on Monday night. A senior Trump administration official also told Fox News that military aid will remain on hold until Ukrainian leaders show a commitment to good faith peace negotiations.
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"This is not permanent termination of aid, it's a pause," the official emphasized. "The orders are going out right now."
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/zelenskyy-says-ukraine-ready-peace-negotiations-calls-trump-meeting-regrettable