Ukraine Ready To Sign Minerals Deal With US: Zelenskyy

ISTANBUL, March 3 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late Sunday that his country is ready to sign a minerals deal with the United States.

“It is our policy to continue what happened in the past. We’re constructive,” he said, adding: “If we agreed to sign the minerals deal, we’re ready to sign it.”

Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CBS News that a minerals deal between the US and Ukraine could not be signed "without a peace deal" with Russia.

Asked about the future of the agreement, as the White House is signaling the need for a compromise, Anadolu Ajansi reported Zelenskyy told reporters at London's Stansted Airport that the minerals deal is ready for the relevant minister’s signature.

He was also asked about French President Emmanuel Macron’s remarks on a possible one-month truce between Russia and Ukraine.

According to the French newspaper Le Figaro, Macron said that he and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had proposed a temporary halt to hostilities "in the air, (and) at sea."

Asked if he was aware of the plan, Zelenskyy responded: "I'm aware of everything."

On whether he was willing to discuss territorial concessions or express regret to US President Donald Trump following their heated White House exchange last week, he did not directly address the question.

Instead, he noted: "I just want the Ukrainian position to be heard,” saying he did not want any ambiguity.

He added that mutual understanding was crucial, highlighting that "red lines" were not driven by emotion but were simply a reality that must be acknowledged.

Zelenskyy also shared his thoughts on Sunday’s meeting with world leaders in London, expressing gratitude for the strong support Ukraine continues to receive.

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

“Together, we are working in Europe to establish a solid foundation for cooperation with the United States in pursuit of true peace and guaranteed security," he added.

Zelenskyy also highlighted that European unity is at a high level in a way that "has not been seen for a long time."

He added that Ukraine is discussing with its partners security guarantees and the framework for a just peace and that several key meetings and decisions are being planned soon.

According to Anadolu, during his sit-down with the press earlier, Zelenskyy was asked whether Ukraine would accept the current line of contact as its de facto new border.

He responded by emphasising that Sunday's discussions in London focused on initial steps and that he would not disclose details until agreements were formalized.

He made it clear that Ukraine would never recognise Russian-occupied territories as part of Russia.

He expressed hope that security guarantees would make further Russian aggression “100 per cent impossible” but reiterated that he would only discuss specifics once Ukraine’s partners had signed agreements.

Asked about the London summit on Ukraine and the goals for security guarantees, Zelenskyy said the country’s strongest security guarantee is “a strong Ukrainian army,” a view he believes that Starmer shares.

He stressed the importance of European allies maintaining their stance on Russia as the aggressor and reiterated his call to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s reconstruction.

He also affirmed that Kyiv's relationship with Washington will continue but noted that Friday’s Oval Office confrontation did not bring any positive or additional value to the partnership.

Despite this, Zelenskyy expressed confidence that the situation would pass and that future constructive talks would yield positive results.

On calls by some US politicians for his resignation, Zelenskyy highlighted that he would consider stepping down only if his resignation secured Ukraine's NATO membership.

"I am exchangeable for NATO.

"I have said that I am exchanging for NATO membership, then it means I have fulfilled my mission. NATO means I have fulfilled my mission," he noted.

He added, however, that "to change me, it will not be easy, because it is not enough to simply hold elections. You would need to prevent me from participating. And it will be a bit more difficult."

A heated exchange took place Friday between Zelenskyy, Trump and US Vice President JD Vance at the White House.

Trump criticised the Ukrainian leader's attitude during the exchange, while Zelenskyy expressed his expectation of support for his country.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU