Ukraine liveblog
Zelenskyy says he's preparing for negotiations with Trump
KYIV — Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday evening that his team was preparing to negotiate security guarantees with US President Donald Trump at talks in Washington on Friday.
Both sides are expected to sign a US-Ukraine rare earth minerals deal in exchange for US support, the text of which was approved by Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers on Wednesday. However, Ukrainian officials stress that they do not see the document as an ultimate end but as the basis for further negotiations.
“Peace and security guarantees are the key to ensuring that Russia can no longer destroy the lives of other nations,” Zelenskyy said in his regular video address.
"Our teams are working with the United States as we are preparing for negotiations as early as this Friday," he added. "It is crucial that America's assistance is not stopped."
Ukrainian officials expect the US side to commit to supporting Ukraine's efforts to obtain further security guarantees, including from Europe. This comes after Washington said it would not commit to specific security guarantees as part of the deal.
Both sides are expected to sign a US-Ukraine rare earth minerals deal in exchange for US support, the text of which was approved by Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers on Wednesday. However, Ukrainian officials stress that they do not see the document as an ultimate end but as the basis for further negotiations.
“Peace and security guarantees are the key to ensuring that Russia can no longer destroy the lives of other nations,” Zelenskyy said in his regular video address.
"Our teams are working with the United States as we are preparing for negotiations as early as this Friday," he added. "It is crucial that America's assistance is not stopped."
Ukrainian officials expect the US side to commit to supporting Ukraine's efforts to obtain further security guarantees, including from Europe. This comes after Washington said it would not commit to specific security guarantees as part of the deal.