Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reaffirmed that Ukraine is prepared to sign a minerals agreement with the United States, stating that the deal remains on the table despite a failed attempt to finalise it during his recent visit to Washington.
Speaking to UK media after a summit in London on Sunday, Zelensky maintained a constructive stance on the proposed agreement, which aims to facilitate the joint exploitation of Ukraine’s vast mineral resources as part of post-war recovery efforts.
“It is our policy to continue what happened in the past; we’re constructive,” he told reporters, as quoted by the BBC. “If we agreed to sign the minerals deal, we’re ready to sign it.”
The deal was initially expected to be a key outcome of Zelensky’s visit to the US, where he met with former President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Friday.
However, the meeting took an unexpected turn when Trump berated Zelensky over Ukraine’s reliance on US support.
Trump also emphasised that Ukraine should be more thankful for US assistance in the ongoing war with Russia, adding that Washington had been very fair in its proposed minerals deal.
Following the heated exchange, Zelensky departed in his motorcade without holding a planned joint press conference, and the White House confirmed that the resource agreement remained unsigned.
Despite the failed deal, Zelensky received support from Ukraine’s allies at a summit hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the weekend.
European leaders pledged to increase security spending and work towards assembling a coalition to enforce any future truce between Ukraine and Russia.
French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking after the London summit, revealed that France and the UK were considering proposing a one-month partial truce with Russia as a step towards a lasting peace.
While the minerals agreement remains uncertain, Zelensky’s comments suggest that Ukraine is still open to negotiations, with hopes of securing long-term economic and security benefits from its Western allies.
