Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed the notion that a peace deal to end Russia’s war is imminent, saying that such an agreement remains “very, very far away.”
Speaking at a press briefing in London on March 2, Zelenskyy stressed the crucial role of U.S. involvement in any future security guarantees for Ukraine.
"Any future foreign presence in Ukraine should include the presence of the United States of America in one way or another," Zelenskyy stated, as cited by AP News.
Despite recent tensions with Washington, Zelenskyy signaled that Ukraine is still open to finalizing a high-stakes minerals agreement with the U.S.
“The agreement that’s on the table will be signed if the parties are ready.”
The deal, which aims to secure U.S. access to Ukraine’s mineral resources in exchange for financial support, was expected to be finalized during Zelenskyy’s scheduled visit to Washington on February 28. However, that trip ended in a heated dispute between Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump, with no agreement signed.
Trump’s Focus Elsewhere
Earlier on March 2, Trump took to Truth Social to downplay concerns about Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging Americans to focus on immigration instead.
“We should spend less time worrying about Putin and more time worrying about the criminals, drug lords, and rapists coming into our country,” Trump wrote.
His dismissive stance on Russia has fueled speculation about how his administration would handle U.S. support for Ukraine, particularly as peace talks remain elusive.
