Washington:
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he does not “responsible” Volodimier Zelansky for Russia’s invasion in his country, but criticized the Western Ukrainian leader.
Trump has repeatedly falsely claimed that Ukraine launched the war and accused Zelanski of “millions” deaths this week.
Trump said at the White House with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, “I don’t hold Zelansky responsible, but I am not thrilled with the fact that the war has begun.”
“I am not blaming him, but what I am saying is that I will not say that he has done the biggest work, okay? I am not a big fan.”
Zelancesi invited Trump earlier this week to visit Ukraine, so that Trump responded with dangers against the TV network to see the war by war in a Sunday interview with CBS.
His invitation followed a warm line at the White House between Ukrainian President, Trump and US Vice President JD Vance in late February, which was played in front of the media.
Meloni told reporters that “we are protecting Ukraine’s freedom together, together we can create a justified and permanent peace. We support your efforts.”
The remote-down leader has thrown Italy’s weight behind European efforts since the European attempts to shore Ukraine’s rescue since the full-scale Russian invasion began in February 2022.
Trump said on Thursday that a deal with Ukraine could be reached by next week when the strategic minerals of the war-dismantled country.
Kiev and Washington were close to signing a deal by a February struggle between Trump and Zelanski, who had temporarily worked on the agreement.
“We have a mineral deal that I think is going to sign on Thursday … next Thursday.
Ukraine’s economy minister Yulia Savidenco said in an X post on Thursday that Kiev had signed a “Memorandum of Intent” with Washington on “Investment Fund for Ukraine’s reconstruction” with Washington.
Svyrydenko did not give any details on the memorandum.
He said, “There is a lot to do so, but current speed and important progress gives reason to expect that the document will be very beneficial for both countries.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Besent told AFP that a deal for April 26 is targeted.
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