President Donald Trump has expressed his willingness to resume discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, provided that Zelensky shifts his focus to peace efforts rather than antagonizing Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Following an extremely tense and very public discussion in the Oval Office on Friday, a planned joint press conference between the two leaders was canceled, as Just the News reports, with Trump now weighing in on what Zelensky must do to restart talks.

Trump spoke to reporters on Friday, outlining his terms for re-engaging with Zelensky.

The American president emphasized the importance of peace and urged Zelensky to adopt this objective in future engagements.

During the meeting, Trump criticized Zelensky for spending too much time criticizing Putin. Trump expressed his view that Zelensky should prioritize ending the ongoing conflict, which affects many lives in Ukraine.

Trump Emphasizes Peace Over Criticism

The encounter in the Oval Office was marked by tension. The meeting, initially meant to foster cooperation, turned contentious when Trump and Zelensky exchanged sharp words.

Trump, evidently dissatisfied with Zelensky's comments about Putin, later requested that Zelensky leave.

Having a neutral stance, Trump highlighted his perspective, "He doesn't have to stand there and say 'Putin this, Putin that,'" reiterating his position that Zelensky’s focus should be on peace.

Trump emphasized that the ongoing war is costing lives, and a practical approach is to address the humanitarian crisis.

A joint press conference that was scheduled afterward was abruptly canceled, reflecting the heightened strain between the two leaders. This cancellation underscored the depth of the discord during the discussions at the White House.

Planned Minerals Deal Fails to Materialize

Beyond the political discussions, the leaders were expected to sign a minerals agreement. However, due to the breakdown of dialogue, no such deal was finalized. This development adds to the complexities currently facing U.S.-Ukraine relations.

Trump stated that Zelensky must make explicit his desire to pursue peaceful resolutions. He articulated that peace should be central to Zelensky’s agenda.

According to Trump, declaring an intent for peace would demonstrate a commitment to resolving the prolonged conflict.

While Trump is open to diplomatic talks, he provides this condition as essential for progressing future discussions. His requirement for Zelensky is clear: a focus on peace efforts in lieu of solely addressing criticisms towards Russia.

Diplomatic Tensions Emerge from Meeting

The circumstances surrounding the meeting suggest underlying diplomatic tension. Both parties left without achieving their intended goals. This underscores broader geopolitical challenges.

Trump reiterated his point about the human cost of war, briefly mentioning the impact on Ukrainian citizens. "His people are dying," Trump noted, urging faster resolutions to avert further casualties.

Throughout the meeting, there was an underlying expectation for collaboration. Yet, the difficult exchange in the Oval Office underscores the obstacles in achieving consensus on contentious geopolitical issues.

For now, it remains uncertain when or if the two leaders will resume discussions. Until an agreement is reached on core terms, including a mutual commitment to peace, the anticipated diplomatic dialogue remains stalled.