Quotes
The Kremlin has a vested interest in preventing the United States and Ukraine from signing a mineral deal, as the deal will commit the United States to a long-term investment in Ukraine and Ukraine's sovereignty."
The ISW added
Zelensky blew up the rare earth minerals deal that [Secretary of State Marco] Rubio had negotiated. Now, Putin is offering his own. It will be interesting to see how Trump handles this."
Clint Russell, a podcast host, wrote on X on SaturdayIf Russia is desperate to sabotage the minerals deal, then Trump is onto something."
Niranjan Shankar, a non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute, wrote on X on Sunday
Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that."
President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on FridayAnd if Ukraine should count on something, it can only be on progress (if there is any to come) in Russian-American relations,
he wrote on Telegram
Everyone needs to understand that Ukraine will never recognise whatever is occupied by Russia as Russian territories,
he saidThe U.S. are ... leaders of the civilized world, and they will not help Putin,
he said_(cropped).jpg)
I want to thank the academy for recognizing a truly independent film,
Baker said
There has not been a day when we have not felt this gratitude
to Washington ... Zelenskyy added
.jpg)
If there is to be a deal, if there is to be a stopping of the fighting, then that agreement has to be defended, because the worst of all outcomes is that there is a temporary pause and then Putin comes again,
Starmer said
This is not a moment for more talk — it's time to act. It's time to step up and lead and unite around a new plan for a just and enduring peace,
Starmer saidWe urgently have to rearm Europe" and "prepare for the worst" on the continent
As the leaders gathered Sunday, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen warnedThe new administration is rapidly changing all foreign policy configurations. This largely coincides with our vision,
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with Russian state television that was recorded last WednesdayWe should spend less time worrying about Putin, and more time worrying about migrant rape gangs, drug lords, murderers, and people from mental institutions entering our Country - So that we don't end up like Europe!"
Trump posted Sunday on his Truth Social platformI think stopping such assistance will only help [Russian President Vladimir] Putin,
Zelenskyy saidI'm not promising you it's possible,
he added
What was not clear to us was whether he shared our goal of ending this war. It was not clear he was ready to go to peace.”
Meanwhile, Trump’s national security adviser, Michael Waltz, speaking about Zelenskyy, told CNN’s “State of the Union” show SundayThere will be all kinds of carrots and sticks to get this done,
he saidDo I believe Donald Trump when he says he wants lasting peace? The answer to that is yes,
he saidTherefore, it is important to maintain unity around Ukraine and strengthen our country's position in cooperation with our allies - the countries of Europe and the United States. Ukraine needs peace backed by robust security guarantees. I am grateful to Italy for its continued support and partnership in bringing peace in Ukraine closer,
he added