Trump launches fresh attack against Zelensky

Says Ukraine president made 'worst statement' about war

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WASHINGTON:

US President Donald Trump criticized Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday over comments he made that a deal to end the war with Russia was not near.

On his Truth Social platform, Trump posted an Associated Press story headlined "Ukraine's Zelenskyy says end of war with Russia is 'very, very far away'.? "This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!" Trump wrote, using an alternate spelling of Zelenskiy.

European plan

Britain said on Monday there were several possible proposals on the table for a possible Ukraine ceasefire, after France floated a proposal for a month-long initial truce that could pave the way for peace talks.

European countries, led by Britain and France, are looking at options for a peace proposal including Ukraine after last week's Oval Office rupture between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

"There are clearly a number of options on the table," Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesman said. "I'm just not getting into a running commentary on the options."

White House national security adviser Mike Waltz, when asked about the weekend activities of Europe rallying around Zelenskiy, told reporters: "So, we welcome Europe stepping up for Europe, but they have to also invest in the capabilities to do so."

France, Britain and potentially other European countries have offered to send troops to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire, but say they would want support from the US, a proposal referred to as a "backstop".

Zelenskiy says a ceasefire must come with explicit security guarantees from the West to ensure Russia, which invaded Ukraine three years ago and holds about 20% of its territory, does not attack again. Trump has refused to give any such guarantees.

Starmer hosted a summit of European leaders in London on Sunday and said European leaders had agreed to draw up a Ukraine peace plan to present to the United States.