Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday pledged to rebuild relations with the United States following a tense Oval Office meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump last week. Calling the encounter “regrettable”.
Zelenskyy expressed a willingness to move forward, even as uncertainty loomed over a potential minerals deal between the two nations.
Reports from four sources indicated that discussions were underway for a deal allowing U.S. access to Ukrainian minerals in exchange for military aid.
However, later that day, U.S. Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, dismissed the possibility of an imminent agreement, stating on Fox News that “there is no signing planned,” as relayed by a Fox reporter on X.
Meanwhile, neither the White House nor Ukrainian officials in Kyiv and Washington provided immediate comments on the matter.
In a statement early Tuesday, Zelenskiy underscored his readiness to finalize the minerals deal, emphasizing that it remained on the table despite the fallout from his Washington visit.
His remarks followed Trump’s unexpected decision to halt military aid to Ukraine, a move that marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy and signaled a softer stance toward Russia.
“None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible … Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians,” Zelenskyy wrote on X, making a direct appeal for diplomacy.
“My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.”
His statement notably avoided any reference to the pause in military assistance but appeared designed to reaffirm Ukraine’s appreciation for past U.S. support.
This followed a contentious White House meeting, where Trump and Vice President JD Vance reportedly reprimanded Zelenskyy for not showing enough gratitude.
“We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence,” Zelenskyy stated, acknowledging the friction in Washington. “Our meeting in Washington … did not go the way it was supposed to be. It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right.”
Path to Peace and Military Realities
Zelenskyy proposed a roadmap toward peace, suggesting that an initial exchange of prisoners and a mutual cessation of air and sea attacks could pave the way for broader negotiations—provided Russia reciprocated.
“Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the U.S. to agree a strong final deal,” he added.
Amid these diplomatic overtures, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reaffirmed the nation’s determination to defend itself, stressing Kyiv’s commitment to continued collaboration with the U.S.
“We will continue to work with the U.S. through all available channels in a calm manner,” Shmyhal said. “We only have one plan – to win and to survive.”
The fragile security situation was further underscored by a Russian drone strike late Tuesday that killed one person and caused power, water, and heating disruptions in the Black Sea port city of Odesa for a second consecutive day, according to regional authorities.
In Moscow, the Kremlin welcomed Trump’s decision to suspend military aid, describing it as a step toward peace, though officials were awaiting confirmation of the policy shift.
Trump’s move has sparked a fierce reaction among U.S. Democrats, who view it as a radical departure from Washington’s longstanding policy of countering Russian aggression in Europe.
For decades, both Democratic and Republican administrations have prioritized bolstering European security against threats from Moscow.
Trump is expected to clarify his stance in a major address to Congress later Tuesday. So far, Republican leaders in Congress have offered little resistance to the shift, despite many previously advocating for strong U.S. military support to Ukraine.
Shmyhal noted that while Ukraine had ramped up domestic military production, especially in drone technology, its air defense capabilities could suffer without continued U.S. assistance.
This was particularly concerning given the reliance on Patriot missile systems, which serve as Ukraine’s main shield against Russian ballistic missile strikes.
Michael Kofman, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment, suggested that while the aid suspension was a significant setback, Ukraine had reduced its dependence on direct U.S. military assistance compared to earlier in the war.
Europe Under Pressure as U.S. Support Wavers
The U.S. decision places added pressure on European allies, many of whom have strongly backed Ukraine since the contentious Oval Office meeting.
Britain and France, both of whose leaders recently met with Trump at the White House, have signaled willingness to deploy troops to monitor a potential ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Germany’s political leaders proposed a €500 billion defense fund, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen introduced plans to mobilize up to €800 billion ($840 billion) for EU defense initiatives. The 27-member bloc is set to hold an emergency summit on Thursday.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed that he had spoken with both Trump and Zelenskyy, welcoming Ukraine’s renewed engagement with the U.S.
However, France’s Prime Minister Francois Bayrou sharply criticized Trump’s decision.
“Suspending aid during a war to a country under attack means abandoning the country under attack and accepting or hoping that the aggressor will win,” Bayrou argued in a parliamentary debate.
The abrupt policy shift has left many Ukrainians feeling betrayed. Oleksandr Merezhko, head of Ukraine’s parliamentary foreign affairs committee, characterized Trump’s move as an attempt to push Ukraine toward surrender.
“Yes, it is betrayal, let’s call it like it is,” remarked Olena Bilova, a 47-year-old lawyer in Kyiv. “But let’s hope that American civil society and the elites of the European Union will not leave us alone.”
