In a significant shift from his heated confrontation with US President Donald Trump at the White House, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday emphasized the importance of US support in Ukraine’s war with Russia. He also confirmed Ukraine’s readiness to sign the minerals agreement with the United States, further strengthening economic and defense ties between the two nations.
Zelenskyy Expresses Gratitude for US Assistance
Taking to social media platform X, Zelenskyy expressed deep appreciation for US aid, acknowledging bipartisan backing from Congress and the American people.
“We are very grateful to the United States for all the support. I’m thankful to President Trump, Congress for their bipartisan support, and the American people. Ukrainians have always appreciated this support, especially during these three years of full-scale invasion,” Zelenskyy wrote.
Stressing the need for continued US assistance, he pointed out that Trump’s endorsement of Ukraine’s defense efforts would be decisive in shaping the course of the war.
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“It’s crucial for us to have President Trump’s support. He wants to end the war, but no one wants peace more than we do. We are the ones living this war in Ukraine. It’s a fight for our freedom, for our very survival,” he added.
Ukraine Ready to Sign Minerals Agreement, But Calls for More
Zelenskyy confirmed Ukraine’s readiness to finalize the minerals agreement, which aims to bolster economic and military cooperation between Kyiv and Washington. However, he made it clear that such agreements alone would not suffice.
“We are ready to sign the minerals agreement, and it will be the first step toward security guarantees. But it’s not enough, and we need more than just that. A ceasefire without security guarantees is dangerous for Ukraine. We’ve been fighting for three years, and the Ukrainian people need to know that America is on our side,” he stated.
In another social media post, Zelenskyy stressed the importance of keeping Ukraine’s plight at the forefront of global discussions.
“It is very important for us that Ukraine is heard and that no one forgets about it, neither during the war nor after,” he wrote, sharing footage from his meeting with the Ukrainian community in Washington.
Trump-Zelenskyy White House Showdown
The Ukrainian President’s diplomatic outreach came just a day after his highly anticipated Oval Office meeting with Trump unraveled into a fiery argument in front of the global media.
Zelenskyy had hoped the discussion would solidify US support for Ukraine and dissuade Washington from aligning with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, tensions escalated as Trump, joined by Vice President JD Vance, accused Zelenskyy of lacking gratitude for US assistance.
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The confrontation reportedly reached such a boiling point that Zelenskyy was asked to leave the White House, with plates of spring green salad and rosemary-roasted chicken left untouched.
Despite their contentious exchange, Zelenskyy’s latest remarks signal an effort to mend diplomatic ties and ensure continued US backing. The minerals agreement is expected to mark a significant step forward in US-Ukraine relations, but questions remain over Trump’s long-term stance on supporting Kyiv’s defense against Russian aggression.
As the geopolitical landscape continues to shift, the coming days will determine whether Trump’s administration takes a firmer stance in Ukraine’s favor or pushes for a different resolution to the ongoing war.
