Trump Warns Zelenskyy: ‘Putin Will Destroy You’ Unless Ukraine Accepts Russian Terms
In a tense White House meeting, President Donald Trump reportedly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accept Moscow’s terms to end the war, warning that Vladimir Putin would “destroy” Ukraine if it refused to comply.
Key Developments
- Trump urged Zelenskyy to surrender Donbas region to Russia
- Meeting described as “shouting match” with frequent cursing
- Trump echoed Putin’s talking points from their phone call
- Zelenskyy returned empty-handed on missile request
Heated Exchange at White House
The Friday meeting between the two leaders frequently descended into a shouting match, with Trump “cursing all the time,” according to Financial Times sources. European officials present said Trump told Zelenskyy he was “losing the war” and needed to “cut a deal or face destruction.”
The US president brushed aside maps showing front-line positions, insisting Kyiv surrender the entire Donbas region to Russia. His comments closely mirrored Putin’s language, contradicting his earlier statements about Russia’s military vulnerabilities.
Shift in Trump’s Position
Trump’s tone shifted markedly after his Thursday call with Putin, where the two leaders agreed to meet in Budapest “within weeks” to discuss Ukraine. During the meeting, Trump repeated several of Putin’s arguments verbatim, representing a sharp pivot from his earlier “peace through strength” approach that included arming Ukraine with long-range weapons.
Freeze Conflict Proposal
After the meeting, Trump appeared to favor settling the conflict along existing battle lines. “Enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by war and guts. They should stop where they are. Let both claim victory, let history decide!” he posted on Truth Social.
In Florida, he urged both sides to “stop the war immediately” and implied Moscow should retain seized territory. Trump also indicated hesitation over providing long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, despite earlier suggestions of support.
Zelenskyy’s Response
Returning empty-handed from Washington, Zelenskyy on Sunday urged allies against appeasing Russia. “Ukraine will never grant terrorists any bounty for their crimes, and we count on our partners to uphold this very position,” he wrote on social media.
The Ukrainian leader called for “decisive steps” from European and American allies and suggested another meeting of the European-led “coalition of the willing.”
Declining Military Support
According to Germany’s Kiel Institute, foreign military support to Ukraine dropped by 43% in July and August compared to the first half of the year. The decline is partly attributed to a new NATO fund that pools European contributions for US-made weapons, excluding direct American financing.
