In a dramatic turn of events, US President Donald Trump announced on March 4 that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed Kyiv’s readiness for negotiations with Russia and the finalization of a US minerals deal. This announcement comes just days after a heated exchange between the two leaders at the White House.
The fallout from the Oval Office dispute has been public, with the US suspending crucial military aid to Ukraine. In an effort to mend relations, Mr. Zelensky posted on social media, calling the clash “regrettable” and expressing his desire to “make things right.”
During his address to Congress, President Trump read aloud from a letter he received from Mr. Zelensky, which echoed the social media statement. The letter stated, “Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians.”
President Trump emphasized the importance of America’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence. He also mentioned that Ukraine is prepared to sign the minerals and security agreement at any convenient time.
The Oval Office meeting on February 28 saw Vice-President J.D. Vance accusing Mr. Zelensky of being ungrateful for US assistance, with President Trump criticizing the wartime leader for not having “cards” to play. Mr. Zelensky left without signing the agreement that would grant the US control over Ukrainian mineral resources.
While President Trump was expected to outline a plan for ending the three-year conflict in Ukraine, he provided few details, only mentioning “serious discussions with Russia.” The decision to halt military assistance to Kyiv has shocked allies, with the European Union excluded from US-Russian negotiations, raising concerns that any potential truce would favor Moscow.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov praised President Trump’s decision, calling it a “solution which could really push the Kyiv regime to a peace process.” The suspension of US aid affects hundreds of millions of dollars worth of weaponry destined for Ukraine.
Ordinary Ukrainians have expressed feelings of betrayal, with some describing the move as a “stab in the back.” Poland’s government noted that the decision was made without consulting NATO allies, and French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou reported that US supplies for Ukraine were being halted.
Mr. Zelensky had traveled to Washington with the expectation of signing a US-Ukrainian deal for the joint exploitation of Ukraine’s vast mineral resources as part of a post-war recovery plan. Despite the fiery exchange in the Oval Office, Mr. Zelensky reiterated Kyiv’s readiness to sign the deal and seek tough security guarantees for ending the war.
Britain and France are now investigating the possibility of proposing a one-month Ukraine-Russia truce, potentially backed by troops on the ground. Vice-President Vance, in a recent interview, mocked the idea of countries with little recent war experience sending soldiers to Ukraine, prompting backlash from French and British politicians.
As the situation continues to unfold, the world watches closely to see how these developments will impact the ongoing conflict and the future of US-Ukraine relations.