Zelensky regrets clash with Trump, agrees to talk with the US on minerals deal and 'lasting peace'

“I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace,” said President Zelenksy in his lengthy post on X, as he expressed his willingness to come to the table soon for a peace deal. “No one wants endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer,” said Zelensky. This came after a sequence of events unfolded between Ukraine and the US as they planned to sign a mineral deal in exchange for aid to Ukraine. The deal never saw the light of day and witnessed a major standoff between the two nations.

The US criticised Zelenskyy for what they perceived as a lack of gratitude for the more than $180 billion in US military aid provided to Ukraine since the war started.

The heated 45-minute exchange, held in front of reporters, took an extraordinary turn when Trump publicly rebuked Zelenskyy as “disrespectful,” leading to the abrupt cancellation of a planned US-Ukraine critical minerals agreement.

The fallout continued as U.S. officials expressed frustration, with some, like Senator Lindsey Graham, suggesting Zelensky resign if he couldn’t work with Trump. The minerals deal’s status became uncertain, and Trump paused all U.S. military aid to Ukraine, deepening tensions.

He also expressed regret about the feud between President Trump and him, saying,” It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.”

After the fallout from the deal and the blocking of all military aid to Ukraine, European allies supported Ukraine with $158 billion in loans to boost defence spending, as its existing military supply could last until summer.

Regarding the minerals deal, Zelensky said, “Ukraine is ready to sign it in any time and in any convenient format. We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively.”

The resources deal could provide an initial ceasefire to the war. It would involve prisoner release and the banning of missiles and range drones on energy and civilian infrastructure by both nations. It would also give the US control over half of the war-torn country’s revenues from future mineral extractions.