In a move that's capturing headlines, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in the United States on Thursday ahead of a much-anticipated meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump scheduled for Friday. This marks their first face-to-face encounter since Trump took office on January 20.
The meeting is expected to revolve around a rare minerals agreement, a topic of significant interest for both nations as they navigate the complexities of the global market. 🌍
However, the path to this meeting hasn't been smooth. The two leaders have been exchanging sharp words following a high-level U.S.-Russia discussion in Saudi Arabia on February 18. Ukraine wasn't invited to this pivotal meeting, prompting Zelenskyy to postpone his own visit to Saudi Arabia the next day. He emphasized that \"negotiations should not take place behind our backs,\" highlighting Ukraine's exclusion from critical talks about the ongoing conflict.
Trump responded by expressing confidence that the conflict could have been resolved more easily, shifting some of the blame onto Kyiv. He also criticized Zelenskyy's approval ratings, claiming they've dropped to \"4 percent\" and suggested that Ukraine should hold new presidential elections, despite the ongoing turmoil delaying the 2024 elections.
In return, Zelenskyy didn't hold back. He accused Trump of falling for Russian \"disinformation\" and criticized the U.S. for aiding Vladimir Putin in emerging from years of isolation. Zelenskyy called on Trump's team to be more truthful in their statements, adding fuel to an already tense relationship between the two leaders.
As the world watches, the upcoming meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy could be a turning point in U.S.-Ukraine relations and the broader geopolitical landscape. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story! 🔍
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
