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Trump's response to Zelensky's behavior was straightforward and direct. He articulated to the Ukrainian president that the reality of the war was dire and that Ukraine needed to negotiate a peace deal rather than continue to fight as if equipped with all the cards. Trump pointed out that, without U.S. military assistance, Ukraine could have faced defeat early in the conflict. “If you didn’t have our military equipment, this war would have been over in two weeks,” Trump asserted, making it clear that he expected appreciation instead of demands.