The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, emphasized the significance of being heard and remembered following his contentious meeting with Donald Trump in Washington. His statement came after arriving in London for a defense summit where he and European leaders would be discussing Ukraine’s future.
The discussion originally intended to focus on a rare earth minerals deal in exchange for US support for Ukraine. However, a diplomatic dispute arose following the Oval Office meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump. In a message on Telegram after the meeting, Zelenskyy stressed, “It’s very important for us that Ukraine is heard and not forgotten, neither during the war nor after.”
A subsequent message acknowledged the importance of US assistance yet welcomed the opportunity to continue a strategic partnership and underscored the need for open, honest dialog about shared goals. He also mentioned readiness to sign a mineral agreement as a first step towards receiving security guarantees. Mere ceasefires, he argued, could be detrimental without such guarantees.
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for US support but hoped for stronger ties. The meeting with Trump, intended to repair relations, instead saw Trump criticizing Zelenskyy for what he called “gambling with world war three,” after Zelenskyy raised several instances of Russia violating past ceasefires.
Zelenskyy reassured the public about Ukraine not being isolated. He is scheduled to meet with Keir Starmer in London and will attend a defense summit with European leaders on Sunday. The UK has announced increased defense spending, aiming to address the instability in global politics, especially with the future of NATO now a concern.
Jeremy Hunt, the former Conservative UK foreign secretary, suggested that Europe’s top priority should be ensuring NATO’s future. He commented that to secure a “seat at the table,” Europe must increase its defense budget and offer to help enforce a ceasefire. Despite the uncertain future of the US-Ukraine agreement, Yuriy Sak, an adviser to Ukraine’s defense minister, remains hopeful for future negotiations as tensions diffuse. He emphasized the need for unity in the Euro-Atlantic coalition to resist Russia’s aim to cause division.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/01/zelenskyy-says-important-for-ukraine-to-be-heard-after-clash-with-trump
