Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared his willingness to proceed with a minerals agreement with the United States, despite a recent public clash with former US President Donald Trump. Speaking at London Stansted Airport after a key summit with European leaders, Zelenskyy said that Kyiv is ready to sign the deal—a proposal that fell apart last week during a heated exchange at the White House.
Zelenskyy stated, “Our policy is to move forward regardless of past events. We remain constructive, and if we agreed to sign, we were ready to do so. Honestly, I believe that the United States is also prepared.” He added that he is confident in salvaging diplomatic ties with Trump, dismissing concerns about a potential halt in US support for Kyiv. “I believe our relations will endure because they are built on more than just momentary gestures. We unquestionably count on assistance from the United States,” he said, warning that ending US support would only benefit Putin.
Read More: US, Japan reach deal on critical EV battery minerals
The minerals deal had nearly been finalized last week but unraveled during a tense televised meeting at the White House. During that meeting, Zelenskyy challenged US Vice President JD Vance’s call for renewed diplomacy, arguing that Ukraine cannot compromise its sovereignty. In response, Trump and Vance accused him of lacking gratitude for US support and overestimating his leverage. Following this confrontation, Trump canceled the rest of Zelenskyy’s engagements in Washington, including the signing ceremony for the agreement, later stating that Zelenskyy could return “when he is ready for peace.” Some Republican lawmakers, including Senator Lindsey Graham, even suggested that Zelenskyy should step down if he is unable to negotiate effectively with Trump.
Zelenskyy, however, dismissed calls for his resignation as “undemocratic” and maintained that he would only consider stepping aside if Ukraine were granted NATO membership. His remarks came as European leaders gathered in London to present a united front in support of Ukraine. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK and France would form a “coalition of the willing” to devise a new peace proposal for Trump, declaring, “We are at a historical crossroads. This is not a time for more talk—it’s time to act, lead, and unite around a new plan for a just and lasting peace.”
