Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he is ready to sign a deal with the White House giving the United States access to his country’s rare earth minerals just hours after a huge blow-up on live television with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance earlier Friday.
“We are ready to sign the minerals agreement, and it will be the first step toward security guarantees. But it’s not enough, and we need more than just that. A ceasefire without security guarantees is dangerous for Ukraine. We’ve been fighting for 3 years, and Ukrainian people need to know that America is on our side,” the Ukrainian leader began in an X thread.
“I cannot change Ukraine’s position on Russia. The Russians are killing us. Russia is the enemy, and that’s the reality we face. Ukraine wants peace, but it must be a just and lasting peace. For that, we need to be strong at the negotiation table. Peace can only come when we know we have security guarantees, when our army is strong, and our partners are with us,” he continued.
“We want peace. That’s why I came to the United States, and visited President Trump. The deal on minerals is just a first step toward security guarantees and getting closer to peace. Our situation is tough, but we can’t just stop fighting and not having guarantees that Putin will not return tomorrow,” Zelensky added.
“It will be difficult without the U.S. support. But we can’t lose our will, our freedom, or our people. We’ve seen how Russians came to our homes and killed many people. Nobody wants another wave of occupation. If we cannot be accepted to NATO, we need some clear structure of security guarantees from our allies in the U.S.,” he said. “American people helped save our people. Humans and human rights come first. We’re truly thankful. We want only strong relations with America, and I really hope we will have them.”
For his part, President Trump also addressed the situation on his Truth Social account and indicated that Zelensky would be welcomed back to the White House when he’s ready for “peace.”
““We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations,” Trump wrote. “I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
Zelensky sat down for an interview with Fox News anchor Bret Baier Friday evening and addressed calls for his resignation from U.S. leaders.
“So [Sen. Lindsey Graham] says you need to consider resigning. Is that on the table?” Baier said to the dejected Ukrainian president.
“I don’t know if he will be happy after my words. This decision can do only people of Ukraine,” Zelensky said, indicating that only the people of his nation can make the choice by voting for someone else.
“You’re not going to step down to do a peace deal?” Baier pressed.
“No, I was always ready. I’m not sure that it’s a good idea for such proposals. But anyway, I always said if the United States will support NATO, I think that it’s enough for Ukraine,” the Ukrainian president said.