Zelensky Expresses Gratitude to Trump and Macron Amid Concerns Over U.S. Support for Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his appreciation for Donald Trump's determination to end the war in Ukraine during a recent meeting in Paris. This meeting, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, raised concerns in Kyiv regarding the future level of support from the incoming U.S. administration.
In a social media post on Tuesday, Zelensky underscored the importance of collaboration to resolve the nearly three-year conflict, stating, "The most important thing is to work together on how to end this war. That is our top priority. During the meeting in Paris, this was exactly what we focused on."
Zelensky acknowledged Macron's role in facilitating the talks and reiterated his gratitude to Trump for his strong resolve to bring the war to a fair conclusion. Trump's previous assertions that he could settle the conflict in just 24 hours have sparked apprehension in Ukraine about potential territorial concessions that could be required for peace.
In a statement made on his Truth Social platform, Trump called for an immediate ceasefire, suggesting that Zelensky was willing to negotiate a deal to 'stop the madness.' This has raised alarm among Ukrainian officials, who fear that such discussions might lead to undesirable compromises.
Additionally, Zelensky firmly rejected any calls to lower the draft age in Ukraine, which some U.S. officials have suggested in an effort to broaden the pool of eligible soldiers to include 18-year-olds. He emphasized the need to focus on equipping current brigades and enhancing their training rather than relying on younger soldiers to fill the gaps.
"We must focus on equipping existing brigades and training personnel to use this equipment. We must not compensate for the lack of equipment and training with the youth of soldiers," Zelensky stated in his post, reinforcing his commitment to prioritizing the capabilities of existing forces.
This dialogue highlights the ongoing complexities of international support for Ukraine as it navigates the challenges posed by the war and the shifting political landscape in the United States.
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