Trump says Zelenskyy ‘not very important’ to attend US-Russia talks on ending war

US President Donald Trump has once again criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s recent visit to Kyiv “a wasted trip.” Bessent traveled to Ukraine last week to discuss securing access to the country’s mineral resources.

“Frankly, I wish he didn’t go there, waste all of his time like that,” Trump said during an interview on The Brian Kilmeade Show on Fox Radio on Friday. He went on to criticize Zelenskyy’s leadership, blaming him as Ukraine continues to suffer from the ongoing war.

Host Brian Kilmeade pushed back, stating, “That’s Putin’s fault.” Trump responded dismissively: “I get tired of listening to it, I’ll tell you what.”

Trump continued his complaints about Zelenskyy, saying he “doesn’t think he’s very important to be at meetings” and accusing him of negotiating “with no cards.”

The president also claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to a deal but suggested that he has little incentive to do so. “He doesn’t have to make a deal. Because if he wanted, he would get the whole country,” Trump said.