The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has revealed that he and the president of the United States, Donald Trump, discussed air defense systems and sanctions against Russia during an unchanging meeting outside the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican.
Zelenskyy described the brief meeting as the most productive encounter that the two leaders have had.
In the comments published by his office recently, Zelenskyy declared that both leaders agreed that a 30 -day fire between kyiv and Moscow was the correct initial step to end the war in Ukraine.
Although he did not elaborate the details, he described Trump's reaction to the issue of sanctions as “very strong.”
The meeting also touched the recent critical mineral agreement signed by the two countries, which Zelenskyy called mutually beneficial.
The agreement, strongly promoted by Trump, is expected to ensure the access of the United States to the mineral resources of Ukraine and Canalize the investment in the efforts of reconstruction of Ukraine.
According to Zelenskyy, the funds generated initially would be reinvested in Ukraine.
“Only if the parties, in the future, agree that in 20 years the background is fine, things are being built, there is production,” said Zelenskyy, hinting at the potential for future profits.
The agreement establishes a joint investment fund with the same supervision of the named Ukrainians and Americans, who will select the Fund Director.
According to Reuters, Zelenskyy emphasized that the agreement entails economic and security implications, especially with respect to kyiv's persistent call for more advanced air defense systems.
“And then we are ready for air defense systems to be a contribution (at the bottom). I told him about the number (of the systems we need), he told me that they will work on it, (that) these things are not free,” said Zelenskyy.
He also noted that $ 30 billion in American military aid authorized by 2024 will be disbursed in the next two years, asking questions about whether part of the 2026 allocation could advance to support the new investment initiative.
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“Ukraine will then return his half, and this is the agreement,” said Zelenskyy. “The historical thing about this event is that Americans can come to the Ukrainian market for the first time.”
The agreement is produced in the midst of the growing frustration of the United States by the stagnant peace negotiations. While kyiv is asking for a high unconditional fire of 30 days, Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated the will in principle, but insists that key details must still be addressed.
Zelenskyy responded to a Russian proposal for a high limited fire around May 9, coinciding with the annual celebrations of the victory of the Second World War of Russia, stating that Ukraine would agree only if the truce lasted 30 full days.
He also warned foreign dignitaries who did not travel to Moscow for the occasion.
“We cannot be responsible for what happens in the territory of the Russian Federation. They are responsible for their safety and, therefore, we will not give any guarantee.”
In a strong refutation, Dmitry Medvedev, vice president of the Russian Security Council, warned that kyiv itself could not survive on May 10 if you launch attacks on Moscow during the commemorations of May 9.
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