MAR-A-LAGO, Florida – U.S. President Donald Trump stirred controversy yesterday with pointed remarks about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders, accusing them of missing their chance to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Speaking to reporters here at his Mar-a-Lago residence, Trump insisted that both Zelensky and European nations had “three years” to secure their place at the negotiating table, a statement that’s already sending shockwaves through diplomatic circles.
Trump’s comments came as he addressed the growing frustration from Zelensky and European allies over their exclusion from last week’s U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia. “You hear they’re upset about not having a seat,” Trump said, his tone sharp and definitive. “Well, they’ve had a seat for three years and a long time before that. This could have been settled very easily.” He went on to claim he could have personally brokered a deal that preserved “almost all of the land” for Ukraine, avoiding what he called unnecessary death and destruction.
The backdrop to these remarks is the recent four-hour meeting in Riyadh between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, where both sides agreed to form teams to negotiate an end to the war. But Ukraine and Europe weren’t invited, and that’s where the tension lies. Zelensky, speaking from Ankara after meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, fired back, insisting, “You cannot make decisions without Ukraine on how to end the war in Ukraine.” He also dismissed Trump’s claim that his approval rating in Ukraine is a mere 4% as Russian disinformation, citing polls showing his trust rating hovering around 50%.
European leaders, too, are fuming. At an emergency meeting in Paris, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron voiced alarm over being sidelined, with some calling Trump’s approach a slap in the face to NATO solidarity. Starmer’s recent proposal to deploy UK troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping force now seems even more urgent, as Europe scrambles to assert its role.
Trump didn’t stop at Zelensky. He took aim at Europe as well, suggesting their late push for a seat at the table was misplaced. “They want a seat now, but wouldn’t the people of Ukraine have a say?” he added, raising eyebrows by suggesting Ukraine hold new elections. “It’s been a long time since we’ve had an election.” Whether this is a genuine concern or a jab at Zelensky’s leadership—and possibly a nod to Russian interests—remains unclear, but it’s certainly stirred the pot.
Here on the ground, reactions are mixed. Supporters of Trump see his comments as a bold move to force action, while critics argue he’s oversimplifying a conflict rooted in Russia’s aggression since 2022. European diplomats I spoke with expressed frustration, with one senior official telling me off the record, “Trump’s unilateralism risks alienating allies who’ve stood by Ukraine for years.”
The implications are huge. If Trump’s strategy succeeds, it could reshape U.S.-Europe relations and the future of the war. But if it backfires, it might deepen divides, leaving Ukraine and Europe feeling betrayed. For now, all eyes are on whether Zelensky and European leaders can push back effectively or if Trump’s deal-making approach will dominate.
