Former U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his criticism of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a press conference on Monday. Trump suggested Zelenskyy is ill-equipped to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict and implied someone else should lead peace talks on behalf of Ukraine. He stated Zelenskyy “doesn't know what he's talking about” and should have ended the war previously. Trump emphasized his belief that it is time for another individual to negotiate for Ukraine. His comments represent a significant divergence from current U.S. policy supporting Ukraine. The remarks further fuel debate over the best path towards de-escalation in the region and the role of external actors in the conflict.