“Zelensky is not ready for peace talks and missed the chance to economically tie the U.S. to Ukraine,” – White House

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is not yet ready for peace negotiations, but he must begin them soon because “time is not on his side,” and “U.S. patience and financial resources are not unlimited”.

U.S. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz told reporters.

“What we don’t have right now is a statement from Zelensky saying, ‘I am ready to take the necessary steps, hold the necessary talks, and make the necessary compromises to end the fighting and move toward a ceasefire.’ Even for a month, two weeks—stopping long-range strikes from both sides,” Waltz stated.

He warned that continuing the war in a World War I-style deadlock is “a road to nowhere,” but the White House does not see Zelensky willing to make the compromises needed to halt hostilities.

Waltz also noted that Zelensky missed an opportunity to create long-term economic ties between the U.S. and Ukraine. However, former President Donald Trump is still open to resuming negotiations on Ukraine’s natural resources—but only if Zelensky changes his stance.

Waltz reiterated that Zelensky provoked a conflict in the Oval Office by attempting to renegotiate an already agreed-upon rare earth metals deal to leverage post-war security guarantees.

“Most people only saw the last 10 minutes when things got out of control, but those who watched the full video noticed how Zelensky repeatedly provoked the administration, trying to revise the signed deal and use it for post-war security assurances,” Waltz explained.

The U.S., he stressed, wants to “hear from Zelensky that he regrets what happened, is ready to sign the minerals deal, and is willing to engage in peace negotiations.”

He made it clear that Washington will not continue endless support for Kyiv without a clear exit strategy from the conflict.

“Americans have generously supported Ukraine, but the war cannot go on indefinitely without a real path to peace,” Waltz emphasized.

Yesterday, he also stated that the U.S. needs a Ukrainian leader it can do business with.

Meanwhile, after his U.S. visit, Zelensky said that his relationship with Trump will continue and that Ukraine is ready to sign a natural resources deal.