Zelenskyy attempts to undo damage from his meeting with Trump following US pause on military aid



President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appears keen to mend his relationship with President Donald Trump and smooth things over following his disastrous meeting at the White House on Friday.

The Ukrainian president indicated in a lengthy post on social media Tuesday that he is — contrary to Trump's repeated characterization — ready for peace and appreciative of America's long-standing support.

"Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be," wrote Zelenskyy. "It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive."

Zelenskyy traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to finalize a general economic agreement concerning mineral extraction. Ahead of the planned signing of the deal, Zelenskyy joined Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and multiple Cabinet officials for a press conference in the Oval Office, which did not go well.

Toward the end of the nearly 50-minute meeting, Zelenskyy — who previously suggested that without security guarantees, which were not included in the deal, "nothing will work, nothing" — cast doubt on the value of diplomacy and the possibility of a ceasefire with the Russians. Trump and Vance castigated the Ukrainian president over his perceived attempt to "relitigate" the deal and spike future peace negotiations.

Following the shouting match that ensued, Zelenskyy was reportedly told to leave the White House before the agreement could be signed.

"It's amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved," Trump said in a Friday statement. "He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace."

'Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible.'

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, present for the heated exchange, indicated over the weekend that the economic agreement, which the Ukrainians had multiple opportunities to close, was effectively dead in the water, stressing that "it is impossible to have an economic deal without a peace deal."

Zelenskyy made matters worse on Sunday by suggesting that a deal to end the war between Kyiv and Moscow was "still very, very far away" and that continued aid from the U.S. was a certainty.

Trump proved Zelenskyy's certainty unfounded the next day, ordering a pause on all military aid being sent to Ukraine, writing, "This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!"

The prospect of losing military aid appears to have prompted a change in heart on Zelenskyy's part.

"I would like to reiterate Ukraine's commitment to peace," Zelenskyy wrote Tuesday. "None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump's strong leadership to get a peace that lasts."

The Ukrainian president floated possible "first stages" in the peace process, namely the release of prisoners as well as a naval and aerial ceasefire with Russia. He also emphasized his gratitude for "how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence," singling out the first Trump administration's 2019 approval of anti-tank weapons to Kyiv as a critical moment.

Zelenskyy further noted that "Ukraine is ready to sign it in any time and in any convenient format."

Responding to the Ukrainian president's apparent about-face, Utah Sen. Mike Lee (R) tweeted, "That was fast."

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a longtime advocate for Zelenskyy but whose support slipped following Friday's exchange, wrote, "Better days are ahead."

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FACT CHECK: Claim That Denmark Purportedly Offered To Buy The US Is Satire

A set of images shared on Threads claims Denmark has purportedly offered to buy the U.S.   View on Threads   Verdict: False The claim is false and originally stems from a 2019 satire article published by The New Yorker. Fact Check: Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen has boosted defense spending for Greenland following […]

Trump expands list of proposed American conquests: 'The Golden Age of America is upon us'



President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly joked about Canada beating out both Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia to become the 51st state. It's clear, however, he has a mind to taking territory besides that hugging the 49th parallel.

Adopting a more serious tone over the weekend, Trump suggested the possibility of taking over the Panama Canal and expressed a renewed interest in acquiring Greenland.

Trump's comments, particularly those about Panama — which he followed up with an image of an American flag hoisted above the canal — have caused quite a stir. While some supporters at home celebrated the apparent revival of the doctrine of Manifest Destiny, foreign officials presently occupying the proposed conquests have denounced Trump's suggestions.

'United States Canal!'

Trump suggested in a lengthy Truth Social post on Saturday that the Panama Canal, over which communist China is increasingly exerting influence and where fees are high and capacity is limited, "is considered a VITAL National Asset for the United States, due to its critical role to America's Economy and National Security."

'Our Navy and Commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way.'

"A secure Panama Canal is crucial for U.S. commerce, and rapid deployment of the Navy, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and drastically cuts shopping times to U.S. ports," wrote Trump. "The United States is the Number One user of the Canal, with over 70 percent of all transits heading to, or from, U.S. ports. Considered one of the Wonders of the Modern World, the Panama Canal opened for business 110 years ago, and was built at HUGE cost to the United States in lives and treasure — 38,000 American men died from infected mosquitos in the jungles during construction."

A Dec. 17 Congressional Research Service report noted that American military leaders are concerned over the presence of Chinese military-linked companies along the canal and the security threats they pose.

Freight Waves noted that China controls ports at both ends of the canal through Hutchinson Ports PPC, a Hong Kong-based company closely linked to the regime in Beijing. In addition to China's management of the ports of Balboa and Cristobal, Chinese economic engagement in the region — particularly after Panama joined China's imperialistic Belt and Road Initiative — has put it in a position to potentially manipulate canal operations.

Severe regional drought conditions affecting Gatun Lake, which supplies much of the water necessary for the operation of the canal's locks, led to restrictions on daily ship transits late last year and into 2024. In the months that followed, the neutrality of the waterway became an especially contentious issue.

The U.S. secured the right to build and operate the canal and control five miles of land on either side of the passage in 1904 in exchange for annual payments. Democratic President Jimmy Carter agreed in 1977 to relinquish American control over the canal by the year 2000.

Trump emphasized in his remarks that Carter's agreement specified that the waterway must be "permanently neutral."

"It was likewise not given for Panama to charge the United States, its Navy, and corporations, doing business within our Country, exorbitant prices and rates of passage," continued Trump. "Our Navy and Commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way. The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the U.S."

'We'll see about that.'

After recycling the exact language from the treaty, Trump underscored that the U.S. "would and will NEVER let it fall into the wrong hands! It was not given for the benefit of others, but merely as a token of cooperation with us and Panama."

"If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question," added Trump. "To the Officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly!"

Trump doubled down on his comments at the Turning Point Action Conference on Sunday, stating, "The United States has a big and vested interest in the secure, efficient and reliable operation of the Panama Canal."

Panamanian officials balked at Trump's suggestion.

Manuel Alberto Samaniego Rodriguez, a member of the country's National Assembly, stated, "The Panama Canal is located in Panamanian territory, therefore it is not an asset of any other country other than Panama. The statements made by @realDonaldTrump are regrettable. This young Panamanian independent deputy will defend his country with his life if necessary."

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino responded to Trump's statements, suggesting in a video, "Every square meter of the Panama Canal is Panama's and will continue to be. The sovereignty and independence of our country are not negotiable."

Mulino noted further that the canal "will continue to be in Panamanian hands as an inalienable heritage of our nation."

Trump responded to Mulino's comment, "We'll see about that," then shared an image of the American flag flying over the canal with the caption, "Welcome to the United States Canal!"

Red, white, and blue Greenland

During his first term, Trump raised the possibility of purchasing the self-ruling Danish territory of Greenland, an 836,330 square-mile island home to the northernmost installation of the U.S military, Pituffik Space Base — formerly Thule Air Base. According to a U.S. Geological Survey estimate, there could be 17.5 billion undiscovered barrels of oil and 148 trillion cubic feet of natural gas off the island, which is home to a population of under 60,000.

Greenland government officials told the Wall Street Journal when Trump's potential interest in the acquisition was first raised, "We're open for business, not for sale."

When announcing former U.S. Ambassador to Sweden Ken Howery as his pick for ambassador to Denmark on Sunday, Trump once again raised the possibility of an acquisition, stating, "For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity."

"Ken will do a wonderful job in representing the interest of the United States," added Trump.

Múte Egede, the socialist prime minister of Greenland, said in a statement obtained by Reuters, "Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom."

Contrary to Egede's suggestion, Greenland belongs to Denmark. It has, however, the right to declare independence but has not done so, apparently keen on continued cash injections from the motherland. Greenland has also been more than willing to lean on a substantial amount of American aid over the years.

Trump is not the first president to raise the possibility of a red, white, and blue Greenland.

A year after U.S. Secretary of State William Seward suggested the annexation of the island was "worthy of serious consideration," the U.S. apparently came close to picking up Greenland and Iceland from Denmark for under $6 million in gold.

Citing previously classified documents, the Associated Press reported in 1991 that the Truman administration proposed in 1946 to buy Greenland from Denmark for $100 million in gold. At the time, the late Sen. Owen Brewster (R-Maine) called the move a "military necessity" and indicated U.S. military authorities favored the proposed acquisition.

In his Turning Point Action speech, Trump stated, "I can proudly proclaim that the golden age of America is upon us."

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