President Trump said it’s time for Ukraine to ditch President Zelensky and get itself a new negotiator if it wants to end the war with Russia.
The president then referred to his infamous February 2025 Oval Office meeting with the Ukrainian leader, where he warned Zelensky that he was in danger of losing the war and was only in a strong position because of American military aid.”
“Ukraine could have had this thing settled a long time ago,” Trump told reporters on the South Lawn before he headed to Kansas for a campaign trip. “If he would have listened to me, and you remember the Oval Office, he would have had to settle a long time ago.”
.@POTUS: "Zelensky is a man that should've had this war settled a long time ago. If he would've listened to me, he would've made a much better deal a long time ago and he'd have a million people living… I think it's time for somebody else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine." https://t.co/3i1xAO6ccI pic.twitter.com/uCH6YtXlXy
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 19, 2026
“I think it’s time for somebody else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine,” he added.
Trump also confirmed he was open to a meeting with Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi next month when he’s in China for the ASEAN meeting.
He indicated his patience was up and the US had done enough to help Kyiv.
“We’ve given a lot to Ukraine. They’ve given nothing to us. Remember that,” Trump said.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.