In an audio interview, US President, Donald Trump has iterated his hostile rhetoric towards Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stating that his attendance at negotiations to end the war in Ukraine is not necessary.
Trump stood by not inviting Zelensky to this week’s peace talks in Saudi Arabia, saying that Russia “found it impossible to make a deal with Zelenskyy.”
“I don’t think he’s very important to be in meetings. He’s been there for three years. He makes it very hard to make deals.”
Donald Trump
Trump stated that Zelenskyy has “no cards” to play to end the war in Ukraine. He said, “I’ve been watching him negotiate with no cards. He has no cards and you get sick of it…I’ve had it.”
Also, Trump said that UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have not done anything to end Russia’s war with Ukraine.
During the interview, Trump was asked about his upcoming meetings with Starmer and Macron and interrupted the host saying, “They didn’t do anything…no meetings with Russia!” “They haven’t done anything,” Trump added.
He noted that Macron is a “friend” of his, adding that Starmer was “a very nice guy” but that neither of them have done anything on Russia.
He asserts that Russia is sincere in its efforts to make a peace deal, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin “doesn’t have to make a deal” because “if he wanted, he would get the whole country.”
Trump insisted several times that Russia could been “talked out” of invading Ukraine
He said that former US President Joe Biden and Zelenskyy said that the wrong things to Russia and there should never have been a war.
Trump Calls Bessent’s Trip To Kyiv Wasted
Trump continued his criticism of Ukraine in the audio interview with Fox News, saying that that the US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent’s trip to Kyiv last week was a “wasted trip.” Trump stated, “Frankly, I wish he didn’t go there, waste all of his time like that.”
US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent visited Kyiv this week, presenting Zelenskyy with the demand for minerals and saying that it was “payback” for previous US military assistance.
Bessent said that the White House could be willing to lift sanctions on Russia, or increase them, depending on Moscow’s readiness to negotiate.
Bessent said that he had received assurances Ukraine would sign the deal. On Wednesday, however, Zelenskyy said the US had provided $69.2bn in assistance under the Biden administration – far less than the figure the new White House is demanding. He said an agreement depended on the US giving security guarantees for a postwar settlement.
On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected US demands for a share of its minerals – a “deal” Trump said would reflect the amount of aid the US had provided to Ukraine during its war with Russia.
The minerals in question would include metals such as titanium, uranium and lithium. These materials are used in a variety of industries including medicine, aerospace, sports equipment and jewellery.
On the deal, White House national security adviser Mike Waltz said, “We presented the Ukrainians really an incredible, and a historic opportunity,” adding that it was “the best” security guarantee Ukraine could hope for.
The US is among countries looking to reduce their dependency on China and so tap into other mineral reserves. Overall, Ukraine ranks among the top five globally in terms of assessed value of natural resources.
Ukraine has deposits of 117 of the 120 most widely used minerals and metals in the world – with up to 50% of all Ukraine’s rare earth supplies in the eastern part of the country.
Zelensky has refused the offer, saying, “I can’t sell our state.”
