The US president insists he will only speak with a like-minded leader who “wants to end the bloodshed”

US President Donald Trump has outlined his expectations for any future engagements with Vladimir Zelensky, stressing that further negotiations depend on a clear commitment to peace.​

Speaking to reporters after a tense meeting with Zelensky at the White House on Friday, Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of “overplaying his hand” and failing to demonstrate a genuine desire to end the conflict with Russia.​

“We’re looking for peace,” Trump stated. “We’re not looking for somebody that’s going to sign up a strong power and then not make peace because they feel emboldened… He’s looking to go on and fight, fight, fight. We’re looking to end the deaths.”​

You saw what I saw today. This is a man that wants to get us signed up and keep fighting. And we’re not doing that, not for this country.

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The US president argued that continued US military assistance would only strengthen Zelensky’s position, making him less inclined to negotiate peace. “We’re not looking to go into a 10-year war,” he said.

Trump reiterated that a ceasefire should be the immediate priority, suggesting that Zelensky is unwilling to consider it. He added that, unlike Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin seems willing to make peace, and insisted that US policy should focus on de-escalation rather than prolonging the hostilities.​

Asked whether he explicitly told Zelensky to leave the White House, Trump declined to answer directly. “I think you know the answer to that,” he said, adding that Zelensky “wants to come back right now, but I can’t do that.”

READ MORE: Zelensky not ready for peace – Trump

Summarizing his position, Trump made it clear that the US will not continue to back Ukraine unless Zelensky takes steps toward peace.​

“Let me tell you… you saw what I saw today. That was not a man that wanted to make peace,” he said. “And I’m only interested if he wants to end the bloodshed.”