Ukraine’s Zelensky Voices Commitment to US Minerals Deal After Recent Tensions

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that a minerals agreement with the United States is “ready” for signature, despite a recent public spat with US President Donald Trump, Al Jazeera reports.

Speaking to reporters following a summit with European leaders in London on Sunday, Zelensky said Kyiv was ready to move forward with the deal, which experienced a setback after a public exchange with Trump on Friday.

“It is our policy to continue despite what happened in the past,” Zelensky told reporters at London Stansted airport.

Zelensky expressed optimism about mending relations with Trump despite the tensions that were futher strained by his behaviour at a meeting in the Oval Office.

The remarks followed a two-day visit to the United Kingdom. At a summit in London, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK and France would form a “coalition of the willing” to develop a peace plan to present to Trump, showcasing a collaborative effort to engage with the US on the issue.

The Trump administration’s proposal for joint exploitation of Ukraine’s natural resources as part of a broader peace agreement faced challenges during a televised meeting between Zelensky and Trump at the White House on Friday. Following a discussion regarding diplomacy and gratitude for US support, Trump postponed the remainder of Zelensky’s visit, including the minerals deal signing ceremony.