Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that Kyiv and Washington are working on an economic deal, but tensions remain over U.S. demands and Ukraine’s exclusion from U.S.-Russia peace talks.
In his nightly address on Friday, Zelenskyy said officials from both countries were negotiating an agreement to strengthen bilateral ties. However, he rejected an initial proposal focused on mineral cooperation, calling it “not a serious conversation” and not in Ukraine’s interests.
"This agreement has the potential to strengthen our relations and, most importantly, the details must be arranged in such a way that ensures it works. I am hoping for a result, a fair result," Zelenskyy said.
The negotiations follow discussions between his chief of staff, Andrii Yermak, and U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. According to Zelenskyy’s office, Yermak emphasized the need to maintain strong cooperation with Washington.
Waltz, speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference, said he expected Zelenskyy to sign the minerals agreement soon. "Here's the bottom line, President Zelenskyy is going to sign that deal, and you will see that in the very short term," he stated.
Zelenskyy pushed back against U.S. demands for $500 billion worth of Ukrainian mineral wealth as repayment for wartime aid, arguing that Washington had not provided assistance on such a scale. He also criticized the deal for lacking the security guarantees Ukraine is seeking as part of a broader peace settlement.
Meanwhile, tensions between Zelenskyy and former U.S. President Donald Trump escalated this week. Trump, who has launched a bid to broker an end to the war, described Zelensky as "a dictator without elections" for remaining in office without holding a wartime vote.
Zelenskyy also spoke with leaders from Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovenia, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Sweden, urging greater European involvement in peace efforts.
"The main conclusion is that Europe must and can do considerably more so that peace can realistically be achieved," he said.
As diplomatic tensions grow, Ukraine remains focused on securing an agreement that meets its economic and security needs while avoiding unfavorable terms imposed by Washington.
Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, highlighting a hurdle to Iran-U.S. peace talks, as...
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said he will “most likely” hold bilateral talks with U.S. President Donald Trump during next month’s...
Russia has called for clarification on whether U.S. President Donald Trump has changed his position on the war in Ukraine following remarks made at th...
The European Union and Taliban officials held talks in Brussels on Tuesday on consular services and the situation of Afghans whose asylum applications...
Iran is preparing for a week-long farewell to former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, who was killed in February during Israeli-U.S. air r...
Tehran has agreed to let the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommence inspections of its nuclear programme, U.S. Vice President JD Vance has said. The U.S. and Iran have settled on a 60-day roadmap aimed at reaching a final deal, according to mediators Qatar and Pakistan.
Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, highlighting a hurdle to Iran-U.S. peace talks, as the top U.S. diplomat tours the Middle East to win over allies sceptical about a proposed deal.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said he will “most likely” hold bilateral talks with U.S. President Donald Trump during next month’s NATO summit in Ankara, where the American leader is expected to attend.
Russia has called for clarification on whether U.S. President Donald Trump has changed his position on the war in Ukraine following remarks made at the recent G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains.
Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, highlighting a hurdle to Iran-U.S. peace talks, as the top U.S. diplomat tours the Middle East to win over allies sceptical about a proposed deal.
A Ukrainian strike has damaged a school building in a Russian-controlled area of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, according to local authorities cited by the TASS news agency. No injuries were reported in the incident.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran had agreed to nuclear inspections into "infinity, despite Tehran's denials, and that unfrozen Iranian assets would be used to buy humanitarian supplies from the United States.
Authorities in France are reporting that about 20 people have died over the weekend while swimming in unsupervised areas of rivers, lakes and coastal waters as they tried to escape the heatwave.
Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo have surpassed 1,000, with health officials warning that the outbreak is spreading rapidly through displacement camps and across borders.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said he will “most likely” hold bilateral talks with U.S. President Donald Trump during next month’s NATO summit in Ankara, where the American leader is expected to attend.
Russia has called for clarification on whether U.S. President Donald Trump has changed his position on the war in Ukraine following remarks made at the recent G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains.
The European Union and Taliban officials held talks in Brussels on Tuesday on consular services and the situation of Afghans whose asylum applications have been rejected in Europe.
China’s anti-corruption authorities have launched an investigation into Bian Zhigang, a senior defence and space official, over suspected serious violations of discipline and law, officials said on Wednesday.
Alibaba, one of the world's largest technology and e-commerce companies, has sued the U.S. Pentagon after being added to a blacklist of firms it claims support China's military, escalating a dispute with potentially significant consequences for the company.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment