Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that a minerals deal with the United States is “ready” to be signed, despite his recent public disagreement with U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking to journalists after a crucial summit with European leaders in London on Sunday, Zelenskyy emphasized that Kyiv is prepared to move forward with the agreement, which fell apart following a heated exchange with Trump on Friday.
“It is our policy to continue despite what happened in the past. We are constructive. If we agreed upon signing it, we were ready to sign it. And honestly, I believe that the United States is ready as well,” Zelenskyy said through a translator at London Stansted Airport.
“Perhaps there is a need in time to analyze certain things, but I just want the Ukrainian position to be heard. It was very important to me that the Ukrainian position is heard.”
Zelenskyy expressed optimism that relations with Trump could be repaired and that the U.S. administration would not halt its assistance to Ukraine.
“I think our relations will continue. Because this is more than relations at a certain moment,” he said. “We must be open. Ukraine is not the biggest country in the world, but everyone can see how it fights for its independence and freedom.”
“We count on assistance from the United States without a doubt,” he continued. “I think stopping such assistance will only help Putin. And because of that, I think the United States and representatives of the civilized world, leaders of this world, definitely won’t help Putin.”
Zelenskyy’s comments came at the conclusion of a two-day visit to the United Kingdom, where European leaders aimed to present a united front in support of Ukraine and revive efforts to end its war with Russia.
At the London summit, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that his country and France would form a “coalition of the willing” to draft a peace plan to present to Trump.
“We are at a crossroads in history today,” Starmer declared, urging his European counterparts to rise to a “once-in-a-generation moment” for the continent’s security.
“This is not a moment for more talk. It’s time to act. Time to step up and lead and to unite around a new plan for a just and enduring peace.”
The proposed deal between the Trump administration and Ukraine, which included jointly exploiting Ukraine’s natural resources as part of a broader peace agreement, collapsed dramatically on Friday during a televised meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump at the White House.
After Zelenskyy challenged U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s assertion that diplomacy was necessary following the failure of former President Joe Biden’s administration to achieve peace, Trump and Vance criticized the Ukrainian leader for what they perceived as ingratitude for U.S. support and an overestimation of his negotiating position.
Following the exchange, Trump canceled the remainder of Zelenskyy’s visit, including the signing ceremony for the minerals deal, and stated that Zelenskyy could return when “he is ready” for peace.
Several Republican lawmakers, including South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, suggested that Zelenskyy should resign if he could not negotiate effectively with Trump.
On Sunday, Zelenskyy dismissed these calls as “undemocratic” but stated that he would step down if Ukraine were granted membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
“Then it means I have fulfilled my mission,” he said.
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