Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reaffirmed on Friday his desire to sign the controversial mineral extraction deal with the United States, despite a tense exchange during his meeting with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance earlier in the day. The deal, which was touted as a potential win-win for both countries, hit a snag after Zelensky publicly criticized the U.S. response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine during the Oval Office meeting.
Speaking with Fox News‘ Bret Baier after the heated discussion, Zelensky emphasized that, despite the friction, he still supported the deal and wanted clarity on the security guarantees it would involve. “The United States wanted this deal very much, and we’ve been not against this deal, but we wanted to understand what parts in security guarantees will take this deal and what next steps,” Zelensky explained. “During the war, what you don’t like, even sometimes hate? Surprises,” he continued, noting that Ukraine had faced numerous challenges and wanted to avoid any unexpected outcomes in the agreement.
Zelensky’s comments came after a turbulent meeting at the White House, where tensions ran high between the Ukrainian president and U.S. officials. The deal, which had reportedly been under discussion for weeks, would see Ukraine and the U.S. jointly develop mineral extraction projects within Ukraine’s borders. The partnership would be beneficial for both nations, with the U.S. gaining access to valuable Ukrainian resources and Ukraine receiving a boost to its economy.
Earlier this week, multiple sources confirmed that a deal had been reached between the two countries, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasizing that the agreement was a “win-win” for all parties involved. It was anticipated that the deal would be signed by Friday. However, the volatile exchange between Zelenskyy and Trump led to a change in plans, as the White House announced that no deal would be signed immediately.
After Zelensky’s departure from the White House, President Trump took to his Truth Social platform to voice his frustrations. Trump criticized Zelensky’s approach to the negotiations, claiming that the Ukrainian president was not interested in peace but rather in leveraging the U.S. involvement for a stronger negotiating position. “I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE,” Trump posted, adding that Zelensky had shown disrespect to the United States in its “cherished Oval Office.”
The tension between Trump and Zelensky comes at a critical moment in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. As the conflict continues, U.S. support for Ukraine has remained a key point of debate in Washington, with some advocating for continued funding of the war with cash and equipment, while others, like Trump, suggest that the U.S. should prioritize bringing the war to an end over further involvement.
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