Trump seeks more than just a minerals deal from Ukraine, reports say
US President Trump is said to be encouraging Zelensky to engage in peace talks and prepare for potential resignation. Read Full Article at RT.com for the full story.
TroibNews 
The US president is reportedly urging Vladimir Zelensky to alter his stance on peace negotiations and consider stepping down.
According to NBC, US President Donald Trump has informed his aides that securing a deal for Washington to access Ukraine’s mineral resources will not suffice for the revival of American military assistance and intelligence sharing with Kyiv. This comes ahead of talks scheduled for March 11 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, involving US and Ukrainian officials.
Zelensky was anticipated to finalize the minerals agreement during his visit to Washington in late February. However, a confrontation occurred between him, Trump, and US Vice President J. D. Vance, resulting in a vocal dispute in front of the media, and the signing of the deal did not take place.
Following the argument, Trump accused the Ukrainian president of lacking interest in peace with Moscow, which led to the suspension of US military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Recently, Zelensky has indicated a renewed willingness to sign the agreement and pursue diplomatic efforts.
Reports suggest that Trump seeks not only the minerals deal but also a transformation in Zelensky's approach to peace negotiations. This includes a readiness to make concessions, such as territorial sacrifices to Russia, in efforts to halt the hostilities. This information was shared by a member of the administration and another American official.
The president also believes that Zelensky should consider enabling a presidential election in Ukraine and “possibly toward stepping down as his country’s leader,” as conveyed to NBC by officials.
Discussions between senior US officials and Zelensky’s chief of staff are set to take place 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 with a Ukrainian delegation led by Andrey Yermak to address the ongoing three-year conflict.
During a flight aboard Air Force One, Trump remarked to journalists that “we are going to make a lot of progress” in the forthcoming discussions. He also expressed optimism that Ukraine “will sign the minerals deal” eventually.
Furthermore, the Financial Times reported that during the talks in Saudi Arabia, Ukrainian authorities are expected to propose a partial ceasefire with Moscow. This ceasefire would encompass restrictions on long-range drone and missile strikes and combat activities in the Black Sea, in an effort to persuade the US to reverse its decision to suspend intelligence sharing and arms deliveries.
On the other hand, Russia has consistently stated that it will not accept a temporary ceasefire with Ukraine, insisting that any resolution must involve dependable, legally binding agreements that address the conflict's underlying issues.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
According to NBC, US President Donald Trump has informed his aides that securing a deal for Washington to access Ukraine’s mineral resources will not suffice for the revival of American military assistance and intelligence sharing with Kyiv. This comes ahead of talks scheduled for March 11 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, involving US and Ukrainian officials.
Zelensky was anticipated to finalize the minerals agreement during his visit to Washington in late February. However, a confrontation occurred between him, Trump, and US Vice President J. D. Vance, resulting in a vocal dispute in front of the media, and the signing of the deal did not take place.
Following the argument, Trump accused the Ukrainian president of lacking interest in peace with Moscow, which led to the suspension of US military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Recently, Zelensky has indicated a renewed willingness to sign the agreement and pursue diplomatic efforts.
Reports suggest that Trump seeks not only the minerals deal but also a transformation in Zelensky's approach to peace negotiations. This includes a readiness to make concessions, such as territorial sacrifices to Russia, in efforts to halt the hostilities. This information was shared by a member of the administration and another American official.
The president also believes that Zelensky should consider enabling a presidential election in Ukraine and “possibly toward stepping down as his country’s leader,” as conveyed to NBC by officials.
Discussions between senior US officials and Zelensky’s chief of staff are set to take place 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 with a Ukrainian delegation led by Andrey Yermak to address the ongoing three-year conflict.
During a flight aboard Air Force One, Trump remarked to journalists that “we are going to make a lot of progress” in the forthcoming discussions. He also expressed optimism that Ukraine “will sign the minerals deal” eventually.
Furthermore, the Financial Times reported that during the talks in Saudi Arabia, Ukrainian authorities are expected to propose a partial ceasefire with Moscow. This ceasefire would encompass restrictions on long-range drone and missile strikes and combat activities in the Black Sea, in an effort to persuade the US to reverse its decision to suspend intelligence sharing and arms deliveries.
On the other hand, Russia has consistently stated that it will not accept a temporary ceasefire with Ukraine, insisting that any resolution must involve dependable, legally binding agreements that address the conflict's underlying issues.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
