During a White House briefing, President Donald Trump's national security adviser, Mike Waltz, addressed questions regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Waltz refrained from directly answering a question about Trump's stance on whether Russian President Vladimir Putin or Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is more responsible for the war in Ukraine. Instead, Waltz emphasized Trump's frustration with President Zelensky and his commitment to ending the conflict.
Waltz described the situation in Ukraine as reminiscent of World War I-style trench warfare, highlighting the need to bring an end to the fighting. He expressed Trump's frustration with Zelensky, citing the president's belief that there should be a greater appreciation for the efforts made by the American people and the administration in addressing the conflict.
Trump's recent comments on Truth Social, where he referred to Zelensky as a 'dictator without elections,' sparked a response from the Ukrainian president, who criticized Trump for spreading disinformation and accused him of aiding Putin. Waltz did not directly address whether Trump views Putin as a dictator but reiterated Trump's focus on ending the conflict and moving forward.
Waltz expressed hope that Zelensky would come to the table and seize the opportunity for peace that has been offered. He emphasized Trump's determination to halt the fighting and stressed the importance of looking towards the future rather than dwelling on past events.
In conclusion, the briefing shed light on Trump's frustration with Zelensky and his administration's efforts to bring about a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. The focus remains on ending the fighting and advancing towards a peaceful resolution.
