Quotes
Europe’s best security interests and America’s best security interests are satisfied by an end to this war in Ukraine and by a strong, unified Nato. That’s an argument that we are having and have discussed with the Americans and will continue to make.”
Meanwhile, Britain’s defence minister John Healey added his voice to those in support of Mr Zelensky, saying It’s good to see you. How are you?”
The pair shook hands and patted each other on the back; Mr Zelensky smiled and said You can’t call this $500bn and ask us to return $500bn in minerals or something else. This is not a serious conversation,
We presented the Ukrainians, really, [with] an incredible and a historic opportunity,
I think [Trump] did this out of pique because he saw Zelensky pushing back on things that Trump wanted.”
Kurt Volker, the US special representative for Ukraine negotiations during President Trump’s first term, said I can’t sell our state.”
Mr Zelensky has publicly rejected the American president’s attempt to take Ukraine’s minerals, saying Rather than enter into some constructive conversations about what that deal should be going forward, we got a lot of rhetoric in the media that was incredibly unfortunate,
Waltz said of the Ukrainians' decision to decline the American offer His frustration with President Zelenskyy that you heard is multifold,
Waltz said Thursday of Trump We had a detailed conversation about the battlefield situation, how to return our prisoners of war and effective security guarantees,
Zelenskyy said on social media after the meeting Strong Ukraine-US relations benefit the entire world,
Some of the rhetoric coming out of Kyiv, frankly, and insults to President Trump were unacceptable,
Waltz said on Thursday, in an apparent reference to those comments President Trump is obviously very frustrated right now with President Zelensky, the fact that he hasn’t come to the table, that he hasn’t been willing to take this opportunity that we have offered,
At the request of the American side, the format of the meeting provides for protocol filming and does not include statements or questions,
Ukrainian presidential spokesperson Serhii Nikiforov told reporters He needs to come back to the table,
Mike Waltz said of Zelenskyy at a press briefing on Thursday This is a negotiation. And in a negotiation, you negotiate. Ukraine wants to negotiate minerals, so we're talking about it."
A White House official added There was significant improvement in the recent draft and it is in conformity with Ukrainian law,
Trump’s goal is to bring this war to an end. Period."
30,000 feels still on the high side, because the purpose of that force would be predominantly around reassurance and trying to instil some confidence in the Ukraine population and in the state.”
But a senior western official said Europe needs to step up for their own defence as a partner - we can be friends and allies and have those tough conversations,
Ukraine is ready for a strong, effective investment and security agreement with the president of the United States,
