Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is reportedly “ready” to sign the US-Ukraine minerals deal proposed by President Donald Trump despite leaving the White House on Friday without committing to the agreement.
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| Image Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images |
This comes after Zelensky fled the US to the UK over the weekend to huddle with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other EU leaders to strategize how to prosecute the war against Russia without U.S. assistance.
European leaders hold emergency meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky in London:
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 2, 2025
🇬🇧 Starmer
🇺🇦 Zelensky
🇫🇷 Macron
🇩🇪 Scholz
🇮🇹 Meloni
🇵🇱 Tusk
🇨🇦 Trudeau
🇪🇸 Sánchez
🇩🇰 Frederiksen
🇳🇴 Støre
🇫🇮 Stubb
🇸🇪 Kristersson
🇳🇱 Schoof
🇨🇿 Fiala
🇷🇴 Bolojan
🇹🇷 Fidan
🇪🇺 VdL
🇪🇺 Costa pic.twitter.com/EEDXe8k6By
From the BBC:
Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is still “ready to sign” a US-Ukraine minerals deal after leaving the White House without it being agreed.
Ukraine’s president told reporters that despite a fractious meeting with US President Donald Trump last week, he is still willing to have a “constructive dialogue” with the US, but said: “I just want the Ukrainian position to be heard.”
“We want our partners to remember who the aggressor is in this war,” he added.
When relations between the US and Ukraine first became strained over the Trump administration’s handing of peace talks with Russia, the minerals deal was intended as a stepping stone towards further security ties between the two countries.
But after Zelensky, Trump and US Vice-President JD Vance had a heated argument in front of the media in the Oval Office, the Ukrainian leader was told to leave without the deal being signed.
Starmer on Sunday announced the UK would provide Ukraine with “boots on the ground” including “airplanes” as a “peacekeeping” force, signaling a countervailing agenda to President Trump’s effort to broker a peace deal.
“The UK are prepared to back this with boots on the ground and planes in the air,” Starmer said, adding his country’s “support for Ukraine is unwavering.”
Holy shit…
— Clandestine (@WarClandestine) March 2, 2025
UK PM Starmer proposes a new plan for Ukraine and wants Europe to up their economic spending and says “the UK are prepared to back this with boots on the ground and planes in the air”.
It’s about to become clear to the world that NATO are the ones pushing for WW3. pic.twitter.com/jjQsmXXbi2
Starmer then added the caveat that his military deployment plan will still require “strong US backing.”
“Together with others, Europe must do the heavy-lifting but to support peace in our continent and to succeed, this effort must have strong US backing. We’re working with the US on this point,” Starmer claimed.
In a related delusional take, Zelensky also said he would consider stepping down if Ukraine can join NATO, a position Russia has repeatedly warned was non-negotiable.
“I am exchangable for NATO,” he told reporters. “I have said that I am exchanging for NATO membership, then it means I have fulfilled my mission.”
"You'll have to negotiate with me. I'm exchangeable for NATO membership."
— Darren of Plymouth (@wolsned) March 2, 2025
Zelensky on new elections and resigning as Ukrainian president.
Only prison is good enough for this demon. pic.twitter.com/w9PFFaBkrA
“To change me it will not be easy,” Zelensky added. “You would need to prevent me from participating in elections and it will be a bit more difficult. You will need to negotiate with me.”
Perhaps Zelensky has come to his senses and realized his only hope for political survival and that of his besieged nation is to return to Trump hat in hand, apologize for his uncooperative behavior, and sign the minerals deal as a step toward peace.
Trump right now https://t.co/Ll0knOgXWr pic.twitter.com/1YNwxhVk7T
— THAT SOUTHERN DUDE (@TSDmemes) March 2, 2025
But given Zelensky already twice reneged on his commitment to sign the minerals deal before getting dismissed from the White House, his promises should probably be taken with a grain of salt.
.@SecScottBessent on President Zelenskyy: “This is one of the biggest ‘own goals’ in diplomatic history.” pic.twitter.com/ftXutYqsEp
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 1, 2025
