WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he does not hold Volodymyr Zelensky “responsible” for Russia’s invasion of his country but continued to criticize the pro-Western Ukrainian leader.
Trump has repeatedly made the false claim that Ukraine started the war and this week accused Zelensky of responsibility for “millions” of deaths.
“I don’t hold Zelensky responsible but I’m not exactly thrilled with the fact that that war started,” Trump said at the White House alongside visiting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
“I’m not blaming him, but what I am saying is that I wouldn’t say he’s done the greatest job, OK? I am not a big fan.”
Zelensky earlier this week invited Trump to visit Ukraine to see the devastation wrought by the war for himself, in a Sunday interview with CBS that Trump responded to with threats against the TV network.
His invitation followed a heated row at the White House in late February between the Ukrainian president, Trump and US Vice President JD Vance, which played out in front of the media.
Meloni told reporters that “we’ve been defending freedom of Ukraine together, together we can build a just and lasting peace. We support your efforts.”
The far-right leader has thrown Italy’s weight behind European efforts to shore up Ukraine’s defenses since the full-scale Russian invasion began in February 2022.
Trump added Thursday that a deal with Ukraine on extracting the war-wracked country’s strategic minerals could be reached next week.
Kyiv and Washington had been close to signing a deal until the February clash between Trump and Zelensky temporarily derailed work on the agreement.
“We have a minerals deal which I guess is going to be signed on Thursday... next Thursday. Soon. And I assume they’re going to live up to the deal. So we’ll see. But we have a deal on that,” Trump said.
Ukraine’s Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said in an X post Thursday that Kyiv had signed a “Memorandum of Intent” with Washington on a planned “Investment Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukraine.”
Svyrydenko did not provide any details on the memorandum.
“There is a lot to do, but the current pace and significant progress give reason to expect that the document will be very beneficial for both countries,” she added.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told AFP that a deal is targeted for April 26.
Trump softens on Zelensky, says mineral deal coming ‘soon’
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Trump softens on Zelensky, says mineral deal coming ‘soon’
- “I’m not blaming him, but what I am saying is that I wouldn’t say he’s done the greatest job, OK? I am not a big fan,” Trump said
- He made the statement alongside visiting Italian PM Meloni, who has thrown Italy’s weight behind European efforts to help Ukraine
US envoy to UN discusses Jordan’s humanitarian aid for Gaza
- Prince Rashid bin El-Hassan, along with UN and US delegation, inaugurated new JHCS logistics operations center
- US Ambassador to UN Mike Waltz’s visit aims to remove bureaucratic obstacles to support Gaza’s humanitarian operations in the coming period
LONDON: Prince Rashid bin El-Hassan, chairman of the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, met with US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz to discuss Jordan’s aid efforts for the Gaza Strip.
During the meeting, attended by representatives from UN agencies in Jordan and a delegation from the US Embassy in Amman, Prince Rashid emphasized Jordan’s commitment to continuing its humanitarian efforts in support of Gaza through international partnerships.
The meeting also discussed ways to improve the Jordanian relief corridor and to eliminate all obstacles, ensuring efficient delivery of aid to the Palestinian coastal enclave.
Prince Rashid, along with the UN and US delegation, inaugurated the new JHCO logistics operations center.
Waltz highlighted the US partnership with Jordan, recognizing its role in delivering humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. He mentioned that US assistance includes tents, blankets, medical supplies, food, and flour, according to the Petra news agency.
Waltz emphasized that the ceasefire and the implementation of the agreement, along with the release of hostages, are vital for Gaza’s reconstruction, enhanced security, and expanded humanitarian aid efforts.
He said his visit aims to remove bureaucratic obstacles to support humanitarian operations in the coming period, Petra reported.
