In a candid moment at the White House, President Donald Trump brushed off Russia’s recent remarks undermining Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, signaling deeper tensions in ongoing peace efforts.
During a cabinet meeting on August 26, Trump was asked about Moscow’s claim that Zelensky lacks legitimacy as Ukraine’s leader. His blunt response surprised many:
“It doesn’t matter what they say. Everybody’s posturing. It’s all bullsht, okay? Everybody’s posturing.”*
This came just days after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told NBC News (August 22) that the Kremlin does not recognize Zelensky as Ukraine’s rightful leader. Lavrov argued that this is why Vladimir Putin refuses to meet him directly, saying:
“How can we meet with someone pretending to be a leader?”
Lavrov also insisted that Zelensky cannot legally sign peace agreements, a statement that appeared to close the door on Trump’s efforts to bring both leaders to the table.
Trump’s balancing act
When pressed on whether he would impose deadlines or penalties on Russia, Trump avoided setting a strict timeline. However, he hinted at the possibility of economic sanctions or tariffs, calling them “very serious” but emphasizing that his goal was not a world war, but rather a form of “economic war” if necessary.
Interestingly, Trump also remarked:
“Zelensky’s not exactly innocent either. It takes two to tango.”
This comment reflects his repeated claim that both sides must make concessions for peace to work.
Recent diplomacy attempts
Earlier in August, Trump met with Putin in Alaska (Aug 15) for direct talks, followed by a meeting at the White House with Zelensky and several European leaders (Aug 18). While Trump initially pushed for a ceasefire, his focus shifted toward a final peace agreement after speaking with Putin.
Despite these efforts, progress remains elusive. Russia continues launching strikes on Ukrainian cities, while European allies are already planning post-war security guarantees for Kyiv. Meanwhile, Moscow continues to stall negotiations.
The bigger picture
Trump’s dismissive remark highlights the growing frustration inside Washington. While he publicly emphasizes his role as a potential dealmaker, both Russia’s refusal to recognize Zelensky and Ukraine’s determination to defend its sovereignty remain the central obstacles.
Until those issues are resolved, peace will likely remain out of reach.
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