White House National Security Adviser Michael Waltz says Ukraine needs to rein in its criticism of the US, as Washington tries to secure a peace deal to end the war.
“It’s unacceptable, they [Ukraine] need to tone it down and take a hard look and sign that deal,” he tells Fox News. The deal he is referring to is a push by Donald Trump for access to rare minerals in Ukraine in return for aid, or even as compensation for the support the US has already provided.
“We presented the Ukrainians really an incredible, and a historic opportunity,” the adviser says, adding that it would be “sustainable” and “the best” security guarantee they could hope for.
Zelensky has publicly rejected an American bid to gain access to – and profit from – Ukrainian minerals, saying: “I can’t sell our state.”
But he says that the two countries can reconcile its differences.
Ukraine’s foreign affairs minister says he discussed ways towards achieving a “comprehensive, just, and lasting peace” in Ukraine with Keith Kellogg, Trump’s Ukraine envoy who is in Kyiv.
In a post on X, Andrii Sybiha says: “I affirmed Ukraine’s willingness to achieve peace through strength and our vision for the necessary steps. I also reiterated that the security of Ukraine and the transatlantic is indivisible.”
Kellogg is expected to meet Ukraine’s President Zelensky later today. We’ll let you know as soon as we have more details.
