Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late on Sunday that his country is ready to sign a minerals agreement with the United States (U.S.).
“Our policy is to move forward, despite what happened in the past. We are constructive. If we agreed to sign, we were ready to sign. And honestly, I believe the U.S. is ready too,” he said.
Earlier, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the minerals agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine cannot be signed “without a peace agreement” with Russia.
Asked about the future of the agreement, since the White House is signaling the need for compromise, Zelenskyy told reporters at London’s Stansted Airport that the minerals agreement is ready for signature by the relevant minister.
He was also asked about comments by French President Emmanuel Macron regarding a possible one-month truce between Russia and Ukraine.
According to the French media, Macron said that he and the United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Keir Starmer proposed a temporary cessation of hostilities “in the air and at sea.”
Asked whether he was familiar with the plan, Zelenskyy replied: “I am aware of everything.”
Regarding whether he is willing to discuss territorial concessions or express regret to U.S. President Donald Trump after their heated argument at the White House last week, he did not directly address the question.
Instead, he noted: “I just want the Ukrainian position to be heard,” saying that he does not want any ambiguity.
He added that mutual understanding is crucial, emphasizing that “red lines” are not driven by emotions, but are simply a reality that must be acknowledged.
Zelenskyy also shared his views on the 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.
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 security guarantees and a framework for a just peace with its partners and that several key meetings and decisions are planned soon.
During an earlier meeting with reporters, Zelenskyy was asked whether Ukraine would accept the current line of contact as its de facto new border.
He emphasized that the focus of the talks in London on Sunday were initial steps and that he would not disclose details until agreements are formalized.
Moreover, he made it clear that Ukraine will never recognize territories occupied by Russia as part of Russia.
Zelenskyy expressed hope that security guarantees would make further Russian aggression “100 percent impossible,” but reiterated that details would only be discussed after Ukraine’s partners sign the agreements.
Asked about the London summit on Ukraine and the goals for security guarantees, Zelenskyy said that the country’s strongest security guarantee is “a strong Ukrainian army,” a position he believes is also shared by Starmer.
He stressed the importance of European allies maintaining their stance toward Russia as an aggressor and repeated the call for frozen Russian assets to be used for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Furthermore, he confirmed that relations between Kyiv and Washington will continue but noted that the conflict in the Oval Office on Friday brought no 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.
Responding to calls from some U.S. politicians for him to resign, Zelenskyy emphasized that he would consider stepping down only if his resignation would secure Ukraine’s membership in NATO.
“I am replaceable for NATO. NATO means I have fulfilled my mission,” he noted.
However, he added that “it will not be easy to replace me, because it’s not enough just to hold elections. You would have to prevent me from participating. And that will be a bit more difficult.”
During his visit to Washington, Zelenskyy engaged in a heated argument with Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who repeatedly accused him of being ungrateful for U.S. support to Ukraine.
The very undiplomatic war of words lasted about ten minutes in the White House as Zelenskyy tried to defend his actions during the more than three-year-long conflict with Russia.
Zelenskyy then left the White House, and the planned signing ceremony for the critical minerals agreement and the joint press conference were canceled.
