It Takes Two to Tango: Trump

It takes two to tango, so agreements must be reached with both Russia and Ukraine. This was stated by U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, adding that the agreement must also receive the consensus of European countries and the United States.

“I think everybody has to get in the room, so to speak, and we have to make a deal. And the deal could happen very quickly. Making a deal shouldn’t be that difficult. It can be done very quickly. Now, maybe someone doesn’t want to make a deal, and if someone doesn’t want to make a deal, I think that person won’t be around for very long. They won’t be listened to for long. Because I believe Russia wants to make a deal. I think, of course, the people of Ukraine want to make a deal. They have suffered more than others. We are talking about suffering; they have suffered,” Trump said.

Additionally, yesterday U.S. Vice President Jay D. Vence stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would not be able to return to the Oval Office until he agrees to discuss the details of a peace agreement, as reported by Fox News. According to him, the agreement “will not make anyone happy, and both sides—both the Russians and the Ukrainians—must give up something.”

Vence added that “Zelensky has shown obvious reluctance to participate in the peace process with his outbursts, although during the first half hour of the meeting, Trump tried to smooth out the sharp corners, but the Ukrainian president did everything to provoke a confrontation with him.”

It should be noted that on February 28, there was a heated exchange of words at the White House between Trump, Vice President Jay D. Vence, and Zelensky, resulting in the Ukrainian leader leaving the White House prematurely without signing any documents. The U.S. president accused Zelensky of “trying to make peace with World War III, not appreciating U.S. assistance, and not wanting a ceasefire.” Later, Trump stated that “Zelensky is not ready for peace.”