What Zelenskyy said about peace, relations with US and mineral deal following confrontation with Trump? Is Ukraine President relenting?

After a heated debate with US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in Washington on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his desire for peace through a series of 14 tweets on Saturday.

Zelenskyy conveyed gratitude for the support of the United States, stressing the importance of President Trump’s support. He said he was ready to pursue a mineral deal. If reached, it would serve as a significant first step toward securing guarantees for Ukraine's safety, he added.

In his tweets, Zelenskyy underscored the necessity of strong relations between Ukraine and the United States, expressing hope for continued American support. 

'We are very grateful for all the support of the US'

He remarked, "We are very grateful for all the support of the United States. I am grateful to President Trump and Congress for their non-partisan support, as well as to the American people for standing by us. The Ukrainian people have always appreciated this support, especially during the last three years after this invasion."

He acknowledged the critical role of US assistance in Ukraine's survival, stating, "Despite the bitter talks, we will remain strategic partners. But we need to be honest and clear with each other to truly understand our common goals."

'We are the ones living this war in Ukraine'

Zelenskyy stressed the urgency of US help, noting, "It is extremely important for us to have the support of President Trump. He wants to end the war, and no one wants peace more than us. We are the ones living this war in Ukraine. This is a fight for our freedom and our existence."

Quoting former US President Reagan, he added, "Peace does not mean just the absence of war. We are talking about a just and lasting peace, that is, freedom, justice, and human rights for all. A ceasefire with Russian President Putin will be of no use. He has broken the ceasefire 25 times in the last 10 years. Real peace is the only solution."

Despite initial speculation that the mineral agreement desired by Trump might be delayed following their intense discussions, Zelenskyy reiterated his willingness to move forward with the agreement. 

'We are ready to sign the mineral agreement'

He said, "We are ready to sign the mineral agreement, and this will be the first step towards security guarantees. But this is not enough, and we need more than this. A ceasefire without security guarantees is dangerous for Ukraine. We have been fighting for three years, and the Ukrainian people need to know that America is on our side."

Zelenskyy concluded by emphasizing the need for permanent peace and security guarantees, asserting, "I cannot change Ukraine's stance on Russia. The Russian people are killing us. Russia is the enemy, and we are facing this reality. Ukraine wants peace, but it should be permanent. For this, we have to be strong during the talks. Peace will come only when we get security guarantees, when our army is strong, and our allies are with us."