25.02.2025 00:11
After it was confirmed that Ukrainian President Zelensky would travel to the United States to sign the precious metals agreement, Russian leader Vladimir Putin also made a statement. Putin said, "Russia is ready to offer the United States the opportunity to collaborate in the field of rare earth elements."
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While hosting French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House, U.S. President Trump evaluated the agenda with the press in the Oval Office. Trump stated that Zelensky has agreed to sign the precious metals agreement and will come to the White House soon.
ZELENSKY IS GOING TO THE U.S. TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT
He noted that talks are ongoing with both Russia and Ukraine to end the Russia-Ukraine War and that they are close to finalizing the precious metals agreement with the Kiev administration. "I will meet with President Zelensky. In fact, he may come to sign the agreement this week or next week. I would love to meet with him in the Oval Office; that would be nice. The agreement is currently being worked on. We are very close to the final agreement," Trump said, emphasizing that the agreement would provide significant contributions to both the U.S. and the Ukrainian economy.
TRUMP: WE HAVE HAD VERY GOOD TALKS WITH RUSSIA
Trump expressed that talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin have been going well, stating, "We have had very good talks with Russia. We are trying to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. I think we have made a lot of progress in a short time, like a few weeks." Trump also mentioned, "We are getting very close to the agreement being worked on, and we are very close to making an agreement where we will get our money back within a certain period."
"I DON'T EASILY USE THE TERM 'DICTATOR' FOR PUTIN"
Trump argued that the U.S. has provided "more help than anyone else ever has" to Ukraine, stating, "If I hadn't been president, Ukraine would still be in a situation where it couldn't even think about peace." In response to a reporter's question, "Would you use the term dictator for Putin?" Trump replied, "I don't easily use such terms."
PUTIN: WE ARE READY TO WORK WITH THE U.S.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also made a statement regarding the issue. Putin said, "Reducing defense budgets by 50% together with the U.S. is a good idea; China can join later if it wants. I believe Trump wants to improve the political situation in Ukraine. This initiative is more in Ukraine's interest than Russia's. Russia is ready to offer the U.S. an opportunity to work together in the rare earth element sector," he said.
DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN TRUMP AND MACRON ON "UKRAINE"
Meanwhile, in the final part of the meeting in the Oval Office, a disagreement between Trump and Macron regarding "aid to Ukraine" drew attention.
MACRON INTERVENED BY TOUCHING TRUMP'S ARM
Macron argued that Russia is the party that started the war between Russia and Ukraine and that this has caused serious financial losses for European countries. He stated that the frozen funds of Russia in Europe should be one of the items in the relevant peace agreement and that this issue needs to be discussed. When Trump commented, "As you can see, Europe is lending money to Ukraine. So they will get their money back," Macron lightly touched Trump's arm and said, "Honestly, we have paid 60% of the total defaults. What the U.S. provided was like credit guarantee grants, but we provided real money. We have $230 billion in frozen assets in Europe; these are Russian assets, but not as collateral for this loan because they do not belong to us."
"THEY ARE GETTING THEIR MONEY BACK"
Macron stated, "In the end, if we negotiate, we will have it. If Russia is ready to give it to us, then in the end, it will be a loan." Trump responded, "If you believe that, it's no problem for me. They are getting their money back. We didn't get it, but now we are." On the other hand, in response to a question, Trump indicated that he could go to Russia if a peace agreement is reached.
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