Without The US, What Can Ukraine Do? Zelensk Is Willing To Sign A Mineral Agreement Despite Trump-Vance Duet

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump debated the heat in the Oval room of the White House, Friday, February 28, 2025/PHOTO: White House

JAKARTA - President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to sign a mineral material agreement with the United States (US).

"It is our policy to continue what happened in the past. We are constructive," he said as quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Monday, March 3.

Zelenskyy said if Ukraine had agreed to sign the agreement, "then we are ready to sign it."

Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CBS News the agreement could not be signed without a "peace agreement" with Russia.

French newspaper Le harus reported that French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had proposed a Russian-Ukraine ceasefire.

When asked if he knew the proposal, Zelenskyy replied, "I know everything."

"I just want Ukraine's stance to be heard," he said, stressing he did not want ambiguity.

Zelenskyy also expressed his opinion on meeting European leaders in London on Sunday.

He thanked Ukraine for the strong support it continues to provide.

"We feel strong support for Ukraine, our people: the soldiers and civilians, as well as our independence," he wrote on platform X.

Zelenskyy insists European unity is currently at a very high level.

President Zelenskky said Ukraine and its partners were discussing security guarantees and a framework for achieving fair peace.

"Some important meetings and decisions will soon be taken," he said.

In an earlier press conference, Zelenskyy was asked if Ukraine was willing to accept the current line of contact as a new de facto border.

In response, he stressed talks in London focused on the first step and he said he would not disclose details before the official deal was reached.

Ukraine, Zelenskyy said, would never recognize Russia's occupied territory as part of Russia.

According to him, security guarantees for Ukraine will prevent future Russian aggression.

Zelenskyy said the biggest security guarantee for his country is having "strong Ukrainian soldiers."

He stressed the importance of Ukrainian allies in Europe to remain Russian is the aggressor and called for frozen Russian assets to be used to finance Ukraine's reconstruction.

Zelenskyy also stressed Ukraine-US relations will continue, although the confrontation between himself and US President Donald Trump at the White House last Friday did not bring anything positive to the partnership between the two countries.

However, Zelenskyy said he believes tensions with the US will pass and future constructive talks will bring good results.

Regarding the call of a number of US politicians to step down as president, Zelenskyy emphasized that he would only consider it if his resignation could guarantee Ukraine's membership in NATO.

"I can be exchanged for NATO. If I resign and Ukraine enters NATO, then I have completed my mission," he said.

However, Zelenskyy stressed that replacing himself would not be easy because it was not enough just to hold elections.

"They have to prevent me from participating, and it will be a little more difficult," Zelenskyy said.