London, March 3, 2025 – The Europe Today: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reaffirmed his commitment to signing a minerals agreement with the United States, despite a public fallout with President Donald Trump following a heated meeting at the White House.
Zelenskyy expressed confidence that the deal could still move forward, despite the cancellation of the signing ceremony. Speaking to the media at London Stansted airport after a two-day summit with European leaders, the Ukrainian president emphasized that Ukraine was prepared to honor the agreement. “If we agreed upon signing it, we were ready to sign it,” Zelenskyy stated, underscoring the importance of ensuring Ukraine’s position is heard in negotiations.
Zelenskyy also highlighted the continued need for U.S. support, particularly in countering Russian aggression. He noted that the minerals deal, initially intended to strengthen security ties between the two nations, fell through after a tense encounter with Trump and Vice President JD Vance. During the meeting, Zelenskyy challenged Vance’s suggestion that diplomacy, rather than military support, should be the focus in resolving the conflict with Russia. The exchange escalated, with Trump accusing Zelenskyy of overestimating his bargaining power.
Following the incident, some Republican lawmakers, including Senator Lindsey Graham, suggested Zelenskyy should resign if he failed to negotiate effectively. However, the Ukrainian leader rejected these calls as “undemocratic,” stating he would only step down upon Ukraine’s NATO membership, calling it the completion of his mission.
Zelenskyy also expressed his willingness to return to Washington if invited, despite the public disagreements. However, he refrained from engaging in speculation about territorial concessions to Russia, a topic raised by some Trump officials as part of a potential peace plan. Instead, Zelenskyy reiterated that the priority for Ukraine is maintaining its independence and continued U.S. support in the fight against Russian aggression.
The remarks came at the conclusion of a summit in London, where European leaders discussed the importance of a united front to support Ukraine. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that while Europe must lead in securing a peace deal, U.S. backing would remain essential. Leaders agreed to form a “coalition of the willing” to protect a peace agreement and defend Ukraine against future Russian threats.
Zelenskyy stressed the need for a robust Ukrainian military and the importance of continued U.S. support, particularly in air defense and intelligence. He warned that a failure to support Ukraine would not only undermine European and U.S. interests but also embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Despite the tensions, Zelenskyy concluded by reaffirming his belief in the enduring partnership between Ukraine and the United States, stressing that Ukraine’s struggle for independence and security remains the shared goal.
