Trump seeks more than just a minerals deal from Ukraine, according to reports
US President Trump is said to be urging Zelensky to pursue peace negotiations and to be prepared for resignation. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The US president reportedly wants Vladimir Zelensky to adjust his stance on peace talks and be prepared to step down.
US President Donald Trump has conveyed to his aides that a deal providing Washington access to Ukraine’s mineral resources will not suffice for the resumption of American military aid and intelligence sharing with Kiev, according to NBC ahead of negotiations between US and Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, set for March 11.
Zelensky was anticipated to finalize the minerals agreement during his visit to Washington in late February, but a meeting with Trump and US Vice President J.D. Vance escalated into a heated argument in front of the cameras, preventing the signing from taking place.
Following the confrontation, Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of lacking a desire for peace with Moscow and subsequently halted the provision of US military aid and intelligence data to Kiev. In recent days, Zelensky has indicated a willingness to sign the deal and pursue diplomatic avenues.
Trump seeks not only the minerals agreement but also a shift in Zelensky’s approach to peace talks, including a readiness to make concessions, such as ceding territory to Russia to end the conflict, as reported by the broadcaster on Sunday, citing sources within the administration and another American official.
Moreover, the US president believes Zelensky should consider moving toward holding a presidential election in Ukraine and “possibly toward stepping down as his country’s leader,” the NBC report stated.
Discussions between senior US officials and Zelensky’s chief of staff are set to occur in Jeddah on Tuesday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will engage in talks with a Ukrainian delegation led by Andrey Yermak regarding a resolution to the three-year conflict.
Trump stated to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday that “we are going to make a lot of progress” during the forthcoming negotiations and expressed confidence that Ukraine “will sign the minerals deal” eventually.
The Financial Times has reported that during the Saudi talks, the Kiev authorities plan to propose a partial ceasefire with Moscow, addressing long-range drone and missile strikes as well as combat operations in the Black Sea, hoping this will lead to the US reversing its decision to freeze intelligence sharing and weapons deliveries.
Conversely, Russia has consistently maintained that it will not accept any temporary ceasefire with Ukraine, insisting that the conflict needs to be resolved through reliable, legally binding agreements that address its root causes.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
US President Donald Trump has conveyed to his aides that a deal providing Washington access to Ukraine’s mineral resources will not suffice for the resumption of American military aid and intelligence sharing with Kiev, according to NBC ahead of negotiations between US and Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, set for March 11.
Zelensky was anticipated to finalize the minerals agreement during his visit to Washington in late February, but a meeting with Trump and US Vice President J.D. Vance escalated into a heated argument in front of the cameras, preventing the signing from taking place.
Following the confrontation, Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of lacking a desire for peace with Moscow and subsequently halted the provision of US military aid and intelligence data to Kiev. In recent days, Zelensky has indicated a willingness to sign the deal and pursue diplomatic avenues.
Trump seeks not only the minerals agreement but also a shift in Zelensky’s approach to peace talks, including a readiness to make concessions, such as ceding territory to Russia to end the conflict, as reported by the broadcaster on Sunday, citing sources within the administration and another American official.
Moreover, the US president believes Zelensky should consider moving toward holding a presidential election in Ukraine and “possibly toward stepping down as his country’s leader,” the NBC report stated.
Discussions between senior US officials and Zelensky’s chief of staff are set to occur in Jeddah on Tuesday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will engage in talks with a Ukrainian delegation led by Andrey Yermak regarding a resolution to the three-year conflict.
Trump stated to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday that “we are going to make a lot of progress” during the forthcoming negotiations and expressed confidence that Ukraine “will sign the minerals deal” eventually.
The Financial Times has reported that during the Saudi talks, the Kiev authorities plan to propose a partial ceasefire with Moscow, addressing long-range drone and missile strikes as well as combat operations in the Black Sea, hoping this will lead to the US reversing its decision to freeze intelligence sharing and weapons deliveries.
Conversely, Russia has consistently maintained that it will not accept any temporary ceasefire with Ukraine, insisting that the conflict needs to be resolved through reliable, legally binding agreements that address its root causes.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
