On Peace, Mineral Deal, And Dispute With Trump: Key Points Of Zelensky's Fox News Interview
47- 1.03.2025, 15:31
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The Ukrainian President explained why the conversation turned into a scandal, and whether negotiations were possible.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave an interview after a dispute with US President Donald Trump in the White House. He explained why the conversation turned into a scandal, what is the fate of the mineral deal with the US, and whether peace negotiations are possible.
RBC-Ukraine has collected the main statements of the Ukrainian President from the Fox News interview.
On the dispute with Trump
According to Zelensky, the dispute during the meeting with Trump in the Oval Office broke out because of “stories that Ukraine has been almost destroyed, Ukraine lost millions of civilians, and its president is a dictator.”
“Where is the friendship between the US and Ukraine?” the President asked.
When asked if he regrets what happened in the White House, Zelensky replied: “Yes, it was not good.” In his opinion, some things with partners should be discussed off-camera.
The President added that he is very grateful to the American people, Trump and Congress for supporting Ukraine, and believes that relations with the United States can still be saved.
“Because this is more than a relationship between two presidents. This is a strong historical relationship between our peoples. That is why I always begin with thanks to your people from our people. This is the most important thing,” Zelensky said.
On the deal with the United States
It was expected that during Zelensky’s visit to the White House, an agreement on mineral resources would be signed between Ukraine and the United States. However, after a dispute in the Oval Office, the signing of the agreement fell through.
As Zelensky stated, the Ukrainian side wants to sign an agreement with the United States and is ready for this. This agreement, according to him, should be the first step towards security guarantees.
“The United States wanted this deal very much, and we were not against it, but we want to understand which part the security guarantees will take in this deal,” he explained.
However, the president does not know when the agreement between Ukraine and the United States can be signed.
“I think that the ministers have to sign this agreement. I do not know when they will do it. It depends on the American side,” Zelensky said.
On peace talks
After the scandal in the White House, Trump said that Zelensky allegedly does not want peace.
“Ukraine wants peace and there will be negotiations in any case. I only said that we are talking about a just and lasting peace, and we need to be strong at the negotiating table,” the president responded to these reproaches.
He added that the United States, Europe and Ukraine should be at the negotiating table, but in a strong position. However, according to Zelensky, first it is necessary to receive security guarantees, and only then move on to diplomacy.
In addition, the president responded to Trump's calls for an immediate ceasefire on the front.
“I cannot just say “stop” (to the soldiers to stop the fighting — edit.). Nobody will stop because everybody is afraid that Putin will come back tomorrow,” he explained.
Earlier, Trump also said that he is “in the middle” between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, to which Zelensky responded in an interview that he would like him to be more on the Ukrainian side.
On aid from the US
After the dispute between Zelensky and Trump, The Washington Post newspaper wrote, citing its own source, that the US could allegedly stop military aid to Ukraine. We are talking about supplies that were agreed upon by the previous US administration.
“It will be difficult for us without your support, but we cannot lose our values,” Zelensky commented on such risks.
On resignation
Reacting to the events in the White House, US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told reporters that in order to “revive” the agreement on fossil fuels, Zelensky must either change, or resign, or send another negotiator.
“Only the people of Ukraine can make this decision,” the president responded to this reproach.
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