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.
U.S. President Donald Trump has released a trove of documents related to the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy, fulfilling a campaign promise to provide greater transparency on the historic event.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have returned to Earth after a nine-month mission on the International Space Station (ISS), landing in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule on Tuesday following prolonged delays due to technical failures on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
The U.S. government on Tuesday released documents related to a legal battle over Prince Harry’s 2020 visa application but redacted large portions, citing privacy protections and a lack of evidence that he received special treatment.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that Ukraine would support a U.S. proposal to halt attacks on Russian energy infrastructure but warned that Moscow was using the negotiations to delay and weaken Kyiv.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Friday that Israel has resumed combat operations in Gaza “with full force,” following the collapse of a temporary ceasefire. Speaking in Tel Aviv, he warned that the latest wave of airstrikes was “just the beginning” of renewed military action.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams completed an unexpectedly long 286-day mission on the ISS, returning to Earth aboard a SpaceX capsule after delays caused by technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday to discuss the progress made by U.S. President Donald Trump in ceasefire talks with Russia, with both leaders emphasising the importance of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
Fresh hostilities erupted in the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Wednesday, with reported air strikes causing infrastructure damage and evacuations despite a recently agreed partial ceasefire.
Putin has paused energy facility strikes, but a full ceasefire remains elusive. The move signals ongoing tensions, with discussions about a wider peace deal set to begin, leaving questions about Ukraine’s role in the negotiations.
U.S. President Donald Trump has released a trove of documents related to the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy, fulfilling a campaign promise to provide greater transparency on the historic event.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Tuesday to a proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump that Russia and Ukraine cease attacking each other's energy infrastructure for 30 days, the Kremlin said following a lengthy phone discussion between the leaders.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday to discuss the progress made by U.S. President Donald Trump in ceasefire talks with Russia, with both leaders emphasising the importance of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
Fresh hostilities erupted in the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Wednesday, with reported air strikes causing infrastructure damage and evacuations despite a recently agreed partial ceasefire.
Putin has paused energy facility strikes, but a full ceasefire remains elusive. The move signals ongoing tensions, with discussions about a wider peace deal set to begin, leaving questions about Ukraine’s role in the negotiations.
U.S. President Donald Trump has released a trove of documents related to the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy, fulfilling a campaign promise to provide greater transparency on the historic event.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that military aid to Ukraine was not discussed during his phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite the Kremlin stating that Putin had called for an end to U.S. support for Kyiv.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams completed an unexpectedly long 286-day mission on the ISS, returning to Earth aboard a SpaceX capsule after delays caused by technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday to discuss the progress made by U.S. President Donald Trump in ceasefire talks with Russia, with both leaders emphasising the importance of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
Fresh hostilities erupted in the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Wednesday, with reported air strikes causing infrastructure damage and evacuations despite a recently agreed partial ceasefire.
Putin has paused energy facility strikes, but a full ceasefire remains elusive. The move signals ongoing tensions, with discussions about a wider peace deal set to begin, leaving questions about Ukraine’s role in the negotiations.
U.S. President Donald Trump has released a trove of documents related to the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy, fulfilling a campaign promise to provide greater transparency on the historic event.
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