Trump says Zelenskyy wants to back out of mineral deal, addresses 3rd term during gaggle
President Donald Trump made headlines on Sunday when he claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is attempting to back out of a rare earth deal with the U.S., warning that if Zelenskyy follows through with this decision, he will face significant consequences.
During a press briefing aboard Air Force One, Trump expressed his frustration with Zelenskyy, stating, \”I think Zelenskyy, by the way, he’s trying to back out of the rare earth deal, and if he does that, he’s got some problems – big, big problems. We made a deal on rare earths, and now he’s saying, ‘well, you know, I want to renegotiate the deal.’ He wants to be a member of NATO. Well, he was never going to be a member of NATO. He understands that, so, if he’s looking to renegotiate the deal, he’s got big problems.\”
This news comes after Zelenskyy’s recent statement expressing Ukraine’s readiness to sign an agreement on minerals and security with the U.S. at any time, emphasizing the importance of the agreement in enhancing security and providing solid security guarantees.
Zelenskyy’s hopes for a successful rare earth deal were dashed following a visit to the White House, where he and Trump were expected to finalize the agreement. However, the meeting did not go as planned, and Zelenskyy left without securing a deal.
Despite the setback, Trump assured reporters that progress was being made on a ceasefire deal between Ukraine and Russia, emphasizing the importance of honoring agreements with world leaders, regardless of personal feelings towards them.
When asked about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump dismissed any notion of strained ties, stating that he did not believe Putin would renege on a partial ceasefire agreement. Trump also expressed his displeasure with Putin’s recent comments questioning Zelenskyy’s credibility, but remained optimistic about future negotiations with Russia.
In addition to addressing the rare earth deal with Ukraine, Trump touched on a range of other topics, including the impact of secondary tariffs on Venezuela and his administration’s trade policies with various countries. He also briefly mentioned the possibility of running for a third term, but quickly shut down further questions on the matter.
Overall, Trump’s remarks highlighted the complexities of international negotiations and the challenges of maintaining diplomatic relations with key allies and adversaries. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the U.S. and Ukraine will navigate their differences and work towards a resolution that benefits both parties.
