US President Donald Trump expressed skepticism about Ukraine’s willingness to make peace with Russia, ahead of the upcoming talks between the US and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia.
During a press conference on the Air Force One, Trump was asked whether he would reconsider the military aid to Ukraine if the country signs a partnership with the US to develop its mineral resources. Trump replied, “I think they will sign the mineral deal. But I want to see that they want peace. Right now, they haven’t shown it to the extent they should.”
The President emphasized that his top priority is to mediate a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine to save human lives on the battlefield. He expects a “good outcome” from the planned talks between the US and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia.
Last week, Trump suspended all arms deliveries to Ukraine and limited the exchange of intelligence information, in an effort to encourage the Ukrainian government to be more open to diplomatic efforts. The US President stated that it is “harder” to negotiate with Ukraine than with Russia, as Ukraine is trying to improve its relations with the US after a tense visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House in late February.
The US had initially planned to sign the mineral agreement on February 28, but the ceremony was postponed after a heated exchange between Trump and Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. Trump later accused the Ukrainian President of being disrespectful and ungrateful for the military and financial aid the US has been providing since 2022. Zelenskyy described the meeting as “regrettable” and expressed a desire to smooth over the tensions.
Russia has stated that a lasting peace is impossible without addressing the root causes of the conflict, including NATO’s eastern expansion. Moscow demands that Ukraine give up its aspirations to join the US-led bloc and become a neutral country with a limited military. The Russian government has also emphasized the need for Ukraine to renounce its claim to Crimea and four other regions that have voted to join Russia.