Discussions between Trump and Zelensky at the Pope's funeral deemed by Zelensky as their most productive to date.
A Fresh Take:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claims that his recent chat with ex-US President Donald Trump at the Vatican was the best they've ever had, tackling topics like US sanctions and Kyiv's air defenses.
This impromptu get-together during Pope Francis's funeral in April came at a nerve-wracking time for Ukraine, with worries that the US might scale back their support and ditch peace talks.
Both sides hailed the talks as positive, marking their first face-to-face encounter post their disastrous Oval Office meeting in February. Soon after, Trump raised doubts about Putin's intentions for peace, hinting that he's losing patience with his Russian counterpart.
At a press conference on Friday, Zelensky stated, "I believe that we had the best conversation with President Trump of all those that have taken place before."
"It may have been the shortest, but it was the most substantive," he added.
Zelensky revealed that they discussed US sanctions without providing details, and described Trump's comments on the matter as "very strong." He also mentioned his intention to beef up Ukraine's air defenses and expressed hope to buy American weapons.
"I told him about the quantity, and he told me that they would work on it, that these things are not free," Zelensky stated.
They agreed that a 30-day ceasefire "is the right first step" and "we will move in this direction."
Recently, Washington and Kyiv clinched a pivotal minerals deal - an agreement both sides had been trying to strike since Trump returned to the White House in January. In reference to the Vatican meeting, Zelensky confirmed that it swayed Trump's view.
Under the deal, the US and Ukraine will create a joint investment fund, contributing 50% of royalties from natural resource projects in Ukraine to fund new development projects within the country. The US might contribute new military aid to this fund.
Zelensky also bashed a three-day ceasefire called by Putin late last month, advocating for a longer truce instead. The proposed ceasefire dates coincide with Russia's World War II Victory Day commemorations and the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany.
Kyiv won't participate in peace games to create a congenial atmosphere for Putin on Victory Day. Zelensky warns dignitaries traveling to Russia for this event that Kyiv "cannot be held accountable for what happens on Russian soil" due to the ongoing conflict.
In response, Russia's foreign ministry deemed Zelensky's comments as a threat.
Behind the Scenes:
The Nuts and Bolts of the Minerals Deal
The US and Ukraine have struck a crucial economic partnership, focusing on natural resources like titanium, lithium, and rare earth minerals. The deal established the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, allocating half of royalties from natural resource projects in Ukraine to fund new development projects domestically. This initiative aims to stimulate economic growth, employment, and infrastructure development in Ukraine, while ensuring the US maintains a key role in securing critical resources to shield them from hostile parties.
The Role of the Zelensky-Trump Meeting at the Vatican
The meeting between President Zelensky and ex-President Trump at the Vatican proved decisive in finalizing the deal. Zelensky had previoulsy highlighted Ukraine's mineral resources as a strategic investment opportunity, urging Trump to support Ukraine's efforts towards peace and reconstruction. During their Vatican meeting, Zelensky reassured Trump of Ukraine's willingness for peace negotiations and sought his aid in thwarting Russian aggression. This encounter likely propelled Trump's backing for the minerals deal, as it aligns with US interests both economically and geopolitically.
The Deal in Context
The agreement illustrates a complex geopolitical strategy. For Ukraine, it guarantees continued US support during a critical phase in the conflict with Russia, assisting in modernizing Ukraine's industries and ensuring economic recovery. For the US, it grants access to vital minerals while asserting US influence in the region and securing a strategic economic footing.
However, critics view the deal as potentially exploitative, suggesting that Ukraine's agreement could be construed as submission to secure US engagement. Despite this, both countries view it as an essential step towards Ukraine's reconstruction and economic stability.
- Zelensky revealed during a press conference that they discussed US sanctions with Trump, and he described Trump's comments on the matter as "very strong."
- The short but substantive conversation between Zelensky and Trump at the Vatican seemed to have positively impacted the minerals deal between the US and Ukraine.
- At a press conference, Zelensky stated that they agreed that a 30-day ceasefire "is the right first step" and "we will move in this direction," but he bashed a three-day ceasefire called by Putin and advocated for a longer truce instead.
- The US and Ukraine have created a joint investment fund, the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, contributing 50% of royalties from natural resource projects in Ukraine to fund new development projects within the country.
- The meeting between President Zelensky and ex-President Trump at the Vatican, aimed at discussing US sanctions, peace negotiations, and American weapons for Ukraine, proved instrumental in finalizing the minerals deal. This deal, potentially exploitative as some critics suggest, is viewed by both countries as an essential step towards Ukraine's reconstruction and economic stability.
