Donald Trump shared a comment by analyst Michael McCune which praised the US president while urging Volodymyr Zelensky to ‘concede’ to his terms if he wants to protect Ukraine
Donald Trump has sent Volodymyr Zelensky a two-word message while describing himself as a “master chess player” following their heated exchange at the White House two days ago.
The US president shared a comment by analyst Michael McCune saying that the Ukrainian leader will have to “back down” and accept Trump’s terms. The post claims that by negotiating a mineral deal, Trump is “actually protecting Ukraine without dragging the US into war.”
The writer said that the fact that Americans will be involved in Ukraine’s mining industry means that Russia will not launch another invasion, as “attacking Ukraine would mean endangering American lives – something that would force the US to respond.” In the post, which Trump shared on his Truth Social platform, Mr McCune said the US president “played both sides like a master chess player.”
By doing so, he guaranteed that Zelensky “will have no choice but to concede, because without US support, Ukraine cannot win a prolonged war against Russia.” The post added: “Once US companies have mining operations in Ukraine, Putin will be unable to attack without triggering massive international consequences.
“Don’t underestimate Donald Trump. In this game if chess, he’s 10 moves ahead of everyone.” It comes after Zelensky, Trump and US Vice President JD Vance clashed during their meeting in the Oval Office at the White House on Friday.
Trump claimed Zelensky of “gambling with World War Three” in a diplomatic blowout broadcast around the world, while Vance accused the US president of not being grateful enough to the US for its support during the war. The clash resulted in Zelensky being kicked out of the White House while a deal to exchange mineral rights for further US military support was placed on ice.
After their tense meeting, Zelensky gave Trump an ultimatum, saying he wants to sign the minerals deal but needs security guarantees for his country. He said he is “ready” to sign the minerals agreement with Trump, but he will only do so if there are guarantees that Ukraine will have a ceasefire, and that it will last, with no further attacks from Russia. Zelenksy said: “We are ready to sign the minerals agreement, and it will be the first step toward security guarantees. But it’s not enough, and we need more than just that. A ceasefire without security guarantees is dangerous for Ukraine.”
European leaders soon rallied in a show of solidarity with Ukraine after the White House meeting, while Sir Keir Starmer tried to keep the peace and spoke to both presidents over the phone. The British Prime Minister then welcomed Zelensky to Downing Street on Saturday, in a meeting described as “meaningful and warm” by the Ukrainian leader.
The two men embraced as they met, and again later as they parted, and Sir Keir took the unusual step of walking Zelensky to his car, instead of waving him goodbye from the front step of No 10. Today, the PM welcomed the leaders of 18 countries at Lancaster House, a mansion near Buckingham Palace, to forge a common position on ending the war in Ukraine.
