Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has expressed a more nuanced view of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stating that he doesn’t hold him directly responsible for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Trump made these comments during a White House meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, where he also criticized Zelenskyy’s handling of the conflict, saying, “I wouldn’t say he’s done the greatest job”.
The Ukrainian president had earlier invited Trump to visit Ukraine to witness the war devastation firsthand, following a heated exchange between them at the White House in February.
Trump announced that a deal on extracting Ukraine’s strategic minerals could be finalized soon, potentially as early as next Thursday.
This development comes after Kyiv and Washington had nearly signed a deal before a clash between Trump and Zelenskyy in February temporarily halted progress.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized her country’s support for Ukraine, stating that Italy is committed to defending Ukraine’s freedom and working towards a just and lasting peace.
Meloni’s stance aligns with European efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s defenses in the face of ongoing conflict with Russia.