Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed willingness to sign a mineral deal with the United States, according to Steve Witkoff, special envoy to the Middle East. Speaking outside the White House, Witkoff noted the possibility of Zelenskyy following through on his offer, which came in a letter to former President Donald Trump earlier this week.
This development follows a recent contentious meeting involving Zelenskyy, Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other cabinet members. The meeting ended in disagreement when Zelenskyy, dissatisfied with the lack of security assurances in the proposed deal, declined to agree to its terms. This led to criticism from Trump and Vance, who characterized Zelenskyy's actions as "disrespectful."
Witkoff conveyed optimism regarding future relations between the U.S. and Ukraine, highlighting Zelenskyy's apology and gratitude expressed in his letter. He stated that both parties are focused on achieving peace and that the Trump administration is committed to facilitating this outcome.
Additionally, Witkoff announced that preparations for a meeting in Saudi Arabia are underway, aimed at establishing a framework for ceasefire discussions with Russia. This announcement echoed comments made by Zelenskyy’s chief aide, Andriy Yermak, who mentioned ongoing talks with U.S. national security advisor Mike Waltz.
However, the situation remains complex as there are ongoing questions regarding U.S. support for Ukraine, particularly after Waltz confirmed that intelligence sharing with Kyiv has been paused. Witkoff did not provide details on when this support might resume or how it might affect collaboration with European allies. The developments indicate a cautious but potentially pivotal moment in U.S.-Ukrainian relations as both sides seek to navigate ongoing challenges.