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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington late Thursday to sign a deal granting the US access to Ukraine’s rare minerals. Before the meeting, US President Donald Trump walked back comments in which he called Zelensky a “dictator” and blamed him for the Ukraine war. Follow our liveblog for all the latest developments.
Trump, Zelensky set to sign US-Ukraine minerals deal
The US could soon have access to Ukraine’s mineral resources under a deal set to be signed between the two countries on Friday that Ukraine hopes will ensure its security from Russian attacks.
Ukraine’s Zelensky has arrived in the United States, Interfax reports
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in the United States on Thursday ahead of talks with US President Donald Trump on an agreement to develop minerals and rare earths, Interfax Ukraine news agency reported, quoting flight data.
Russian security chief lands in China ahead of talks with Xi
Top Russian security official Sergei Shoigu landed in Beijing on Friday, Russian news agencies reported, for a flying visit to meet China’s top leadership.
“During the one-day visit, he is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping … and Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China Wang Yi,” TASS said.
Shoigu’s trip comes days after Xi spoke with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, with the Chinese leader hailing Moscow’s “positive efforts to defuse” the Ukraine crisis.
Moscow and Beijing have strengthened military and trade ties since Russia sent troops into Ukraine, though China has sought to depict itself as a neutral party amid the three-year conflict.
Trump expresses respect for Zelensky ahead of White House visit
US President Donald Trump on Thursday voiced respect for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the eve of his visit, downplaying an earlier jibe that he was a “dictator.”
“I think we’re going to have a very good meeting tomorrow morning. We’re going to get along really well,” Trump said. “I have a lot of respect for him,” Trump said of Zelensky at a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Earlier in the Oval Office he also walked back a jibe that the Ukrainian was a dictator, saying: “Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that.”
The deal, pushed by Trump as a form of compensation for Washington’s backing, would give the United States a share in much of Ukraine’s mineral wealth.
“We’ve given him a lot of equipment and a lot of money, but they have fought very bravely,” Trump said. “Somebody has to use that equipment, and they have been very brave in that sense.”
Welcome to our liveblog, where we post the latest news on the war in Ukraine. To read all about yesterday’s key developments, click here.
Yesterday’s key development:
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged US President Donald Trump to ensure security guarantees for Ukraine in peace talks with Russia.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump are set to sign an agreement allowing the US to access Ukraine’s rare earth minerals as Zelensky attempts to secure the US’ backing in peace talks with Russia.
- Trump expressed confidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin would honor the conditions of a peace agreement once one is signed.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, Reuters and AP)
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