Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that he would resign if it means peace in Ukraine. Days after President Trump questioned his legitimacy, his remarks called him a “autocrat without elections” responded to the Kremlin topic.
Meanwhile, Mr. Zelensky continued to oppose Mr. Trump's insistence that he signed what Ukraine called a mineral agreement, which was impossible. He announced meetings in more than 30 countries or online on Monday, a coalition that supports Ukrainian war efforts.
It is unclear whether Mr. Zelensky has seriously considered the option of resigning, or is simply responding to the latest jabs in Washington and Moscow. He added that he could swap his departure for Ukraine to enter NATO – given Trump's opposition to allowing Ukraine to join the military coalition.
“If peace in Ukraine requires me to resign, I'm ready,” Mr Zelensky said in a press conference on Sunday. “Another situation – if this is needed, I can switch my position to a NAD member.” qualifications.”
Mr Zelensky said that at present, Ukraine and the United States are negotiating an agreement to trade Ukraine's minerals and other natural resources for U.S. aid. Mr Zelensky said he was still not ready to sign the latest U.S. proposal that requires Ukraine to use its natural resource revenue to pay $500 billion in $500 billion.
“I didn't sign what 10 generations of Ukrainians had to repay,” Zelensky said, noting that the negotiations would continue.
President Trump increased pressure on Ukraine to sign a mineral deal, a deal that has now been negotiated for more than 10 days on Saturday night. The Ukrainian side has rejected several draft agreements because they do not contain U.S. security assurances that can protect Kiev from further Russian aggression.
“I think we're very close to a deal, we'd better get close to a deal,” Mr Trump said at a Conservative Political Action Conference Saturday night. “We're asking for rare earths and oil – we can Everything you get. ”
Frustration over the fascinating negotiations has exacerbated the dispute between Mr. Zelensky and Mr. Trump. The U.S. leader questioned Mr. Zelensky's political legitimacy and suggested that Ukraine begin a war with Russia. Ukrainian leaders say Mr. Trump lives in a “network of false information.”
On Friday, the U.S. proposed a new draft agreement obtained by The New York Times, which still lacks security assurances for Ukraine and includes tougher financial terms. Ukraine withdrew its amendment on Saturday night, with two Ukrainian officials speaking while anonymously discussing negotiations.
The new draft agreement reiterates the U.S. demand that Ukraine abandons half of its revenue from natural resource extraction, including minerals, gas and oil, as well as revenue from ports and other infrastructure.
Under the proposed transaction, these revenues will point to a fund where the U.S. will hold 100% of its financial interests, to which Ukraine should contribute until it reaches $500 billion. The amount is more than twice the value of Ukraine's economic output before the war.
Mr Zelensky said the sum was disproportionate to the statement of the German think tank Kiel Institute, which so far has the value of Ukraine – about $120 billion – and he is not ready to “confirm” Ukraine Owe the United States and owes the United States. $500 billion, “Whatever someone says.”
Mr Zelensky also highlighted another obstacle in the proposed deal: Ukraine will be asked to repay the value of U.S. future U.S. aid.
“The agreement stipulates that Ukraine must return two dollars,” Mr Zelensky said on Sunday. “In short, it's 100% loan. I have to repay the principal, plus 100%.”
The agreement does not undertake the United States to provide security assurances for Ukraine and does not promise further support to Kiev. The term “security” was even removed from the formula contained in the February 14 transaction and reviewed by The Times, two countries aimed at achieving “lasting peace and security in Ukraine.”
Instead, the agreement says a portion of the revenue collected by the fund will be reinvested into the reconstruction of Ukraine. It also noted that the United States intends to provide long-term financial support for Ukraine's economic development, although there are no specified figures.
This potential commitment coincides with the White House debate that the U.S. economic interests in Ukraine alone will prevent future Russian aggression.
“This economic partnership will achieve the basis of lasting peace by sending clear signals to the American people, the Ukrainian people and the Russian government to understand the importance of Ukraine’s future sovereignty and success,” Scott Bessent ) The U.S. Treasury Secretary wrote in the Financial Times on Saturday.
But Mr. Zelensky pointed out that the existence of American companies in eastern Ukraine did not prevent Russia from attacking and occupying these territories before the war. “Obviously, that's not 100% guaranteed that Russians won't go where they've been,” he said on Sunday.
Although Ukraine continued to negotiate a mineral agreement, Moscow showed no signs of an attack, with Russia launching a massive Russian drone attack on Ukrainian cities overnight. The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia has launched 267 drones, a record since the war began three years ago. This claim cannot be independently confirmed.
The buzzing of the attack on drones flying over buildings echoed in the central part of the capital Kiev, followed by the sound of heavy machine guns trying to shoot them down. Ukraine said most drones were shot down or disabled by electronic interference, but debris from damaged houses caused fires in part of the capital.
