Trump Claims ‘Peacemaker’ Role Amid Tense Exchange with Zelensky at White House

In a tense exchange at the White House on Friday, US President Donald Trump reiterated his ambition to be remembered as a "peacemaker" while addressing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Trump, sitting beside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, expressed his desire to resolve the war to save lives and prevent a potential third world war.

Trump and Zelensky in tense exchange at the White House during a discussion on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

"I hope I am going to be remembered as a peacemaker. This would be a great thing if we could do this. I'm doing this to save lives more than anything else," Trump stated. He further emphasized that the stakes were high, warning that without his leadership, the situation could have escalated to a global conflict.

However, minutes later, the two leaders engaged in a heated public disagreement. Trump accused Zelensky of "gambling with world war three," while US Vice President JD Vance criticized Ukraine's wartime tactics, alleging that the country was forcing conscripts into battle due to manpower shortages. Zelensky, responding firmly, challenged Vance's comments, pointing out that the US could not fully understand Ukraine's struggles without visiting the country.

In a pointed exchange, Trump criticized Zelensky's handling of the conflict and the role of previous US administrations. He claimed that had the US not provided military aid, the war would have ended much sooner. "If you didn’t have our military equipment, this war would have been over in two weeks," Trump remarked.

Despite the confrontation, Zelensky remained steadfast, reaffirming his country's position and thanking the US for its support. This meeting comes amid mounting criticisms of Trump's perceived favorable stance towards Russia and his attempts to extract concessions from Ukraine.

Trump's comments echo his long-standing ambition to be seen as a unifier and peacemaker, with previous references to his legacy as one of peace, particularly his involvement in the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. However, critics continue to challenge his approach, arguing that his stance may be undermining Ukraine's position in the ongoing war.

The exchange between the two leaders has fueled debates on the global stage about the future of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the role of the US in mediating peace efforts.