While President Donald Trump pushed President Volodymyr Zelensky to sign the US-Ukraine mineral deal – which was formally agreed last night – Zelensky wanted Trump to take a harsher stance on Putin
Donald Trump made a bombshell admission during his sit down with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky at the funeral of Pope Francis last week. At the historic event on Saturday, two months after Zelensky left the White House in a huff following a disastrous meeting about the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, the world leaders met face-to-face for the first time in the hallowed St Peter’s Basilica.
While the discussion itself was photographed and beamed across the world, people had to rely on lip readers and body language experts to discern the content of the conversation – until now. According to US outlet Axios, Zelensky warned Trump that he would not change course on the invasion unless he was forced to do so. A source said Trump has acknowledged that he may have to change tact in regards to how he’s been managing Vladimir Putin.
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Shortly after the meeting, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to slam Putin over a missile strike in Kyiv. It read: “It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through “Banking” or “Secondary Sanctions?” Too many people are dying!!!”
Reports say Zelensky also asked Trump to demand an unconditional ceasefire as a foundation for negotiations, which was his original position. A source told Axios that Trump seems to have agreed to it.
However, Axios said that Trump had his own demands to make, including pushing him to sign the US-Ukraine mineral deal which would give Washington access to the country’s rich mineral reserves.
The US Treasury announced it signed the deal with Ukraine on Wednesday evening, agreeing to establish an America-Ukraine reconstruction investment fund. For Ukraine, the deal is seen as key move to gain access to future US military aid in its war against Russia.
Some believe the reason the meeting was more productive was because White house envoy Steve Witkoff and vice president JD Vance – who was seen provoking Zelensky in front of the world’s news media – were not present. Speaking to ABC News yesterday, Trump admitted that Putin “could be tapping me on a little bit”. But he still believes Putin wants to end the war.
Trump added he thinks Zelensky could be ready to make a major concession – the Russian annexation of Crimea – to secure a lasting peace with Putin. “Oh, I think so,” the U.S. president said after the meeting in the Vatican.
In February, Trump hinted at his desire for access to Ukraine’s rare earth materials, framing it as compensation for the billions of dollars in US aid provided to Kyiv. But negotiations broke down after a tense Oval Office meeting between Trump and Zelensky – which descended into a shouting match – and efforts to reach a deal had faltered amid strained US-Ukraine relations.
On Wednesday, Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced she had signed an agreement to establish the investment fund.
Svyrydenko said on X: “Together with the United States, we are creating the fund that will attract global investment into our country. Its implementation allows both countries to expand their economic potential through equal cooperation and investment.
“The United States will contribute to the fund. In addition to direct financial contributions, it may also provide new assistance – for example air defense systems for Ukraine.”
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said: “Truly, this is a strategic deal for the creation of an investment partner fund. This is truly an equal and good international deal on joint investment in the development and restoration of Ukraine between the governments of the United States and Ukraine.”