Zelensky claims Kiev is prepared for an immediate ceasefire with Moscow.
Elon Musk has responded to Vladimir Zelensky’s announcement of Kiev’s readiness to sign a rare-earth minerals deal with the US and agree to a ceasefire with Moscow by stating that words are insufficient to regain trust.
Musk, a billionaire and advisor to former US President Donald Trump, posted on X on Tuesday: “Actions, not words, are what matter. Let’s see what actions take place.”
Zelensky previously voiced his disappointment that last Friday’s meeting in Washington “did not go the way it was supposed to.”
The US and Ukraine were expected to finalize a rare-earths agreement during Zelensky’s White House visit, but the signing was abruptly called off following a contentious exchange in the Oval Office. During the argument, Trump and then Vice President J.D. Vance allegedly accused Zelensky of lacking gratitude for American aid to Kiev. Trump later asserted that Zelensky was acting disrespectfully and showed no desire for peace with Russia.
On Tuesday, Zelensky announced Kiev’s readiness to sign the minerals agreement at “any time and in any convenient format.” He also indicated Ukraine’s willingness to engage in a prisoner exchange and a truce, including a “ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on energy, and other civilian infrastructure.” While he expressed gratitude to Trump, the US Congress, and the American people, he did not formally apologize for the Friday incident.
Following the heated discussion at the White House, Trump reportedly informed reporters that Zelensky would need to demonstrate a willingness to make peace with Russia to be welcomed back.
Fox News cited a senior US official on Monday, who stated that Zelensky should issue a public apology to facilitate the signing of the minerals deal. However, later reports suggested that Trump intended to announce the agreement during his address to Congress on Tuesday evening.
Moscow characterized Zelensky’s gestures as a “positive” development. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Rossiya-1 TV channel’s Pavel Zarubin on Tuesday, “It is good that he [Zelensky] is ready [to go back to the talks with the US].”
Moscow maintains that any peace agreement must be based on its terms, including Ukraine’s transformation into a neutral country. The Kremlin has also insisted that Kiev must relinquish its claims to Crimea and four other regions that have voted to join Russia.
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