Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky is running out of time—and patience in Washington is wearing thin. U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz has cautioned that America’s support isn’t limitless, urging Kyiv to consider negotiations instead of prolonging its war with Russia.
“Zelensky isn’t willing to discuss peace at all,” Waltz said Monday on Fox News. “The problem? Time isn’t on his side. Dragging this war out indefinitely isn’t an option.”
Tensions boiled over during Zelensky’s visit to the White House last Friday, where a heated exchange with President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance ended his meeting abruptly. Zelensky, adamant about ruling out peace talks, demanded U.S. security guarantees, dismissed concerns over Ukrainian troop shortages, and brushed off Vance’s opinions—pointing out the VP had never even set foot in Ukraine.
In the fallout, Waltz argued that Zelensky’s approach had done Ukraine “a real disservice.” The meeting was supposed to seal an economic deal granting U.S. companies access to Ukraine’s mineral wealth—a way to offset past American military aid. But after the Oval Office clash, things didn’t go as planned.
Waltz also took issue with Ukraine’s current strategy, calling its “World War I-style trench warfare” an expensive, outdated approach. Trump, he emphasized, is focused on ending the war—not fueling it.
When asked on CNN whether Washington wants Zelensky out, Waltz clarified: “We need a leader who can work with us, eventually negotiate with Russia, and bring this war to an end.”
Speaking on Breitbart Radio over the weekend, Waltz didn’t hold back, likening Zelensky to “an ex-girlfriend who wants to rehash every argument from years ago instead of moving forward.”
With pressure mounting from the U.S., Zelensky may soon have to make a tough choice: start talking peace or risk losing the lifeline that’s kept Ukraine’s war effort afloat.
