Pause on aid strong-arms Zclensky into minerals deal

Volodymyr Zelensky has bowed to intense pressure from Donald Trump after the US suspended military aid to Kyiv, meaning Ukraine could run out of vital long-range defence missiles within days.

- SAM KILEY

He called the pair’s explosive White House meeting “regrettable” and pledged to enter peace talks as he desperately tried to salvage the perilous situation facing his armed forces.

Mr Zelensky also proposed a possible peace plan to end the war, including the release of prisoners and a ban on missiles and drones, and said he would sign a deal giving the US access to Ukraine’s mineral wealth.

The move came just hours after the US announced it was “pausing and reviewing” military aid to the country, with sources telling The Independent that Ukraine’s supplies of US Patriot missiles could leave it unable to defend itself in a matter of days.

Mr Trump’s decision to pause aid came after he strongly criticised Mr Zelensky for suggesting peace was still “very, very, far away”.

“Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer,” said Mr Zelensky in his message on X. “My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.”

He also offered options for a truce while committing to signing the minerals deals wanted by the US in exchange for aid.

“We are ready to work fast to end the war, and the first stages could be the release of prisoners and truce in the sky – ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on energy and other civilian infrastructure – and truce in the sea immediately, if Russia will do the same.

“Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the US to agree a strong final deal.”

Mr Zelensky added: “Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be. It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.”