Part 4/13:
Meanwhile, Zelensky responded with defiance, accusing Trump of living in a "disinformation space" and openly criticizing the notion that Ukraine started the conflict, which is rooted in Russia’s invasion in February 2022 following the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Trump's vitriol prompted a diplomatic contretemps that risks complicating efforts toward a negotiated settlement in the war-torn country.
Notably, Trump's envoy to Ukraine, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, arrived for his first face-to-face talks with Zelensky, emphasizing a U.S. effort to listen rather than dictate peace terms. The discord reflects a broader rift over how to handle Ukraine’s future governance, elections, and peace negotiations amid intense U.S.-Russia and Ukraine dynamics.