Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration has responded to claims made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested that the Ukrainian leader had not read the revised U.S.-backed peace proposal.
In a media interview on Monday, December 8, 2025, Oleksandr Merezhko, the chair of Ukraine’s foreign affairs committee, dismissed President Trump’s remarks.
“I was surprised, to say the least, by this statement from President Trump because I know the President and he is very careful. He reads all the documents, especially something as crucial as this peace proposal from President Trump,” Merezhko stated.
He stressed that the comments misrepresented President Zelenskyy, whom he described as meticulous and well-informed.
“I am certain that he has familiarized himself with this plan and has read it. When President Trump talks about ‘the people,’ we, members of the Ukrainian parliament, represent the people,” Merezhko added.
Merezhko Denies Trump Claims That Zelenskyy Has Never Read the Peace Plan
Merezhko also acknowledged that he himself has not read Trump’s peace proposal, noting that even members of Ukraine’s parliament have not had the opportunity to review the document, despite his position as the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
He voiced concern about Ukraine being in a “very vulnerable position,” warning that there may be a temptation for President Trump to pursue a deal that favors Russia.
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According to Merezhko, such pressure would exploit Ukraine’s weakness, which he described as “totally unacceptable” given that the country is fighting for its survival.
“I’m concerned because we’re in a very vulnerable position right now. I’m afraid there may be a temptation for President Trump to reach a deal at any cost that favors Ukraine’s adversaries and exploits our weakness. For us, that is totally unacceptable because we want to survive as a country,” the Ukrainian official said.
He further stated that any peace deal should include realistic security guarantees. He downplayed the idea of surrendering territory to Putin, calling it appeasement that would only embolden Putin and other potential aggressors worldwide.
Trump Accuses Ukrainian President of Not Reading the Peace Plan
Merezhko stressed that Ukraine urgently needs more advanced weaponry to counter President Putin’s aggression, highlighting the necessity for long-range missiles and other superior arms.
He also stressed the need for material support to endure what could be one of the toughest winters in the country’s history.
In addition to military and material aid, he underlined the importance of sanctions and strong leadership to navigate the ongoing crisis.
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The Ukrainian official’s response came just hours after President Trump publicly expressed disappointment with President Zelenskyy, claiming he had not yet read a revised U.S.-proposed peace plan aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“I have to say that I’m a little disappointed that President Zelensky hasn’t yet read the proposal. His people love it, but he hasn’t. Russia is fine with it, but I’m not sure that Zelenskyy is fine with it. His people love it, but he isn’t ready,” Trump stated.
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