Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is gearing up to sign a pivotal minerals deal with the United States, aiming to boost Ukraine’s post-conflict recovery. 🌍✨
During a late-night meeting with UK media after a landmark summit in London, Zelenskyy emphasized, \"The agreement that's on the table will be signed if the parties are ready.\" However, the path to signing isn't smooth.
The deal, intended to help end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, hit a snag after a heated showdown in the Oval Office. Zelenskyy’s recent visit to Washington for the White House signing was marred by tensions, as former President Trump criticized him for not being more \"thankful\" for U.S. support and highlighted the crucial role of American assistance in Ukraine’s resilience against Russian advances.
Experts like Zhao Huirong from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences note that while Ukraine originally eyed NATO membership as a security guarantee, the current U.S. strategy of maximum pressure has shifted Kyiv’s focus towards seeking comprehensive military aid. This includes training, weapons supplies, and possibly arms production within Ukraine.
The mineral deal proposal aims to provide Washington with financial benefits in exchange for its support in the truce, though Trump has consistently hesitated to commit U.S. military forces alongside European peacekeepers.
Post the intense Oval Office exchange, Zelenskyy left without a joint press conference, leaving the resource agreement unsigned for now.
Challenges remain, including competing interests from Europe in mineral cooperation and uncertainties around Ukraine’s mineral reserves and extraction complexities. Despite these hurdles, Ukraine is expected to ramp up its engagement with European allies while continuing to seek U.S. support to bolster its negotiating position.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed hopes for a partial one-month truce with Russia, but Zhao warns that without resolving territorial disputes, a permanent peace agreement remains elusive. 🇺🇦🤝🇺🇸
