Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his criticism towards former US President Donald Trump, stating that it is unfair for Trump to publicly call for Ukraine to make concessions while not holding Russia accountable. In recent statements, Trump has suggested that the onus of making concessions lies with Zelenskyy, a point which Zelenskyy finds problematic as it does not promote a balanced approach to peace in the ongoing conflict.

Zelenskyy pointed out that pressing Ukraine for concessions is an easier option for Trump than demanding similar actions from Russian President Vladimir Putin. He emphasized that the path to achieving lasting peace should not involve granting an advantage to Russia. By urging Ukraine to make concessions, the implication is that Russia may gain an unfair victory, which Zelenskyy argues undermines the principles of fairness and justice in diplomatic negotiations.

Despite his critiques, Zelenskyy acknowledged Trump's past contributions to peace discussions, indicating that his direct talks with US negotiators are conducted with mutual respect, contrasting them with Trump’s public remarks. He expressed hope that previous comments made by Trump are tactical rather than indicative of his actual stance on the conflict, emphasizing the need for a more equitable framework for peace discussions, one that does not favor the aggressor over the victim of the conflict.