Trump says someone other than Zelensky should negotiate for Ukraine
In short
US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on the afternoon of 19 October that someone other than Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky should represent Ukraine in talks to end the war with Russia. He said the United States continues to share intelligence with Ukraine and will consider letting Ukrainians stay in the US under "temporary protection status" until the war ends.
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US President Donald Trump said on the afternoon of 19 October, local time, at the White House that he believes someone other than Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky should represent Ukraine in negotiations to end the war with Russia. China News Service, CLS and Jiemian all quoted him as saying: "Maybe it is time for Zelensky to find someone else to negotiate." [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Trump also said the United States has given Ukraine a great deal and received nothing in return. He added that the US continues to share intelligence with Ukraine, and said he would consider allowing Ukrainians to stay in the US under "temporary protection status" until the war ends. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
China News Service and Jiemian wrote that Trump has publicly criticised Zelensky several times recently, saying Zelensky "may never have wanted to end the war", and has called for Ukraine to change its president. CLS gave a date for that earlier call, saying Trump urged Ukraine to replace its president on 10 October. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
CLS and Jiemian credit CCTV for their reports. A second China News Service item says it is based on foreign media reports. Yicai published an item with the same headline as CLS and Jiemian, and the document available carries only that headline. None of the documents says who Trump has in mind as a replacement negotiator or reports any reaction from Ukraine. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The remarks, reported by Chinese official and business outlets, point to continued public pressure from Trump on Zelensky over who speaks for Ukraine in negotiations. The documents do not say how Kyiv responded or whether any change in negotiators is planned.
Key facts
- Trump spoke to reporters at the White House on the afternoon of 19 October, local time. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- He said he believes someone other than Zelensky should represent Ukraine in negotiations to end the war with Russia. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Trump said: "Maybe it is time for Zelensky to find someone else to negotiate." [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Trump said the US has given Ukraine a great deal and received nothing in return. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- He added that the US continues to share intelligence with Ukraine. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- He said he would consider allowing Ukrainians to remain in the US under "temporary protection status" until the war ends. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Trump said on 19 October that someone other than Zelensky should represent Ukraine in talks to end the war with Russia. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Trump said the US continues to share intelligence with Ukraine and will consider letting Ukrainians stay in the US under "temporary protection status" until the war ends. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- When Trump earlier called for Ukraine to change its president. CLS says he did so on 10 October; China News Service and Jiemian say only that he has criticised Zelensky publicly several times recently and called for a change of president.
- Who Trump believes should negotiate for Ukraine in place of Zelensky. The documents give no name or proposal and no response from Ukraine.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- CLS (财联社) published its report. [ 1 ]
- China News Service published a report with Trump's remarks and background on his criticism of Zelensky. [ 2 ]
- China News Service published a second item based on foreign media reports. [ 3 ]
- Jiemian (界面新闻) published its report. [ 4 ]
- Yicai (第一财经) published an item with the same headline. [ 5 ]