Zelensky Turns to Diplomacy in a War With ‘a Long Way to Go’
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load.
After a startling clash with President Trump, who has echoed the Kremlin view of the war, Ukraine’s leader is trying to shore up European support and smooth over relations with Washington.
President Volodymyr Zelensky returned to Ukraine on Monday after a whirlwind diplomatic mission that included both humiliation, by President Trump, and a warm embrace, from European leaders. He vowed to use all diplomatic avenues to pursue an end to Ukraine’s war with Russia, but acknowledged there was “a long way to go.”
Russia has given no indication that it will accept any terms other than Ukrainian capitulation and permanent conquest of a large swath of Ukraine — and Mr. Trump makes clearer by the day that his intent is to stand with Moscow.
Ukrainians have insisted they will not lay down their arms unless they receive security guarantees, supported by the United States, that would prevent the Kremlin from regrouping and attacking again.
After a disastrous meeting with Mr. Trump on Friday, in which the American president and Vice President JD Vance berated him for being ungrateful, Mr. Zelensky received a show of support from Europe’s democracies on Sunday, who pledged to work with Ukraine to come up with a peace plan that it could then present to the United States.
Mr. Zelensky himself said American buy-in for a peace plan was important and seemed to go further in his efforts to smooth things over with the White House. “We are grateful for all the support we have received from the United States,” he said in his address to the nation Sunday night. “There hasn’t been a single day when we haven’t felt grateful.”
“There will be diplomacy for peace,” Mr. Zelensky said. “And for the sake of all of us standing together — Ukraine, the whole of Europe, and necessarily America.”