Two weeks ago, during talks over the minerals deal, Trump branded Zelensky a “dictator” and falsely blamed Ukraine for starting the war with Russia
By Moses Okorie with Agency Report
Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky is currently in Washington DC to discuss and sign deal with President Donald Trump of the United States so that the US would help in ending protracted war between Ukraine and Russia.
Recall that Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump’s relationship has been more like a Netflix drama than typical diplomacy.
Early in Zelensky’s presidency, Trump was accused of pressuring Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter. Although Zelensky denied he was pressured, it’s unlikely that Trump has forgotten that their phone call ultimately led to his first impeachment.
But thanks to strong bipartisan support in Congress, it was on Trump’s watch that Ukraine received much-needed lethal weapons after Russia first attacked Ukraine in 2014.
During his re-election campaign, Trump called Zelensky “the best salesman in the world” for convincing the Biden administration to keep supporting Ukraine.
Two weeks ago, during talks over the minerals deal, Trump branded Zelensky a “dictator” and falsely blamed Ukraine for starting the war with Russia.
In response, Zelensky fact-checked Trump, hinting that he might be living in a Russian “disinformation bubble”.
Despite tensions, the two presidents share more similarities than may meet the eye. Both are unorthodox, arguably populist, politicians, who came to power after hit TV shows made them household names.
Both are known for swiftly implementing policies and reforms.
They meet at the White House today to sign a deal which could mark a new chapter in US-Ukraine relations – or at least bring a sense of normality back to their relationship.
Meanwhile, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelensky is upbeat about the US-Ukraine minerals deal expected to be signed later today.
“It is a framework agreement that paves the way to a strategic partnership with the USA,” Mykhaylo Podolyak tells Ukrainian TV.
“It will have several appendices with numbers outlining investment programmes, the division of income from the joint exploitation of minerals, and other appendices which will outline security guarantees,” Podolyak adds.
The agreement will outline which and how much weaponry Ukraine will receive, as well as the sources of funds for aid to Ukraine, he says.
Asked if he’s seen the final draft of the agreement, Podolyak says: “Yes, naturally.”