Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is again resisting efforts to bring an end to the bloody three-year war between his country and Russia, balking at a deal that would give the U.S. rights to hundreds of billions of rare earth minerals.
American taxpayers have been forced to underwrite the war which started during the Biden administration and President Donald J. Trump is demanding the mineral rights as payback for money already sunk into the conflict, which despite the tens of billions of American dollars sent to Kyiv is going very badly for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy threw cold water on reports of an imminent deal over the weekend, acting like an ingrate during a Sunday press conference during which he told media that he owes Americans nothing and that the money was essentially gifted to him by former President Joe Biden with no strings attached.
NEW: Ukraine President Zelensky says the billions of dollars that were given to him by the U.S. was a grant, not a debt owed to the United States.
“I don’t even recognize $100 billion. We agreed with Biden that it was a grant, not a debt.”
The statement comes as the Trump… pic.twitter.com/qnAukWjPfz
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 23, 2025
“I do not recognize [that Ukraine owes the US] even $100 billion,” he said. “We agreed with Biden that this was a grant. A grant is not a debt.”
Clips of Zelenskyy allegedly pledging to pay Americans back have resurfaced and been posted to X.
Zelensky in 2023: Give us credit and we will pay you back the money
Zelensky now: it was a grant, not a loan pic.twitter.com/DNOqImHF4f
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 23, 2025
“Think of it, a modestly successful comedian, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, talked the United States of America into spending $350 Billion Dollars, to go into a War that couldn’t be won, that never had to start, but a War that he, without the U.S. and ‘TRUMP,’ will never be able to settle. The United States has spent $200 Billion Dollars more than Europe, and Europe’s money is guaranteed, while the United States will get nothing back,” Trump said in a post to Truth Social last week.
The pint-sized leader was recently criticized as a “dictator” by Trump over his refusal to hold elections and has frustrated the White House with his recalcitrant behavior as he takes his grievances to the media which has dutifully reported Ukrainian propaganda since the war started.
The Ukrainian president also said that he would be willing to step down if it meant peace – in exchange for membership in NATO, the one thing that would be practically guaranteed to start World War III given that it would be crossing Russia’s red line.
Zelensky says he would resign if Ukraine could get into NATO. Asked at a press conference if he was ready to quit if it ensures peace for Ukraine, he answered, “If (it guarantees) peace for Ukraine, if you really need me to resign, I am ready. I can exchange it for NATO.”
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) February 23, 2025
“If peace for Ukraine requires me to step down, I’m ready,” Zelenskyy said. “Another scenario: I could trade my position for NATO membership if that’s what it takes.”
Zelenskyy’s unwillingness to get with the program and stop the killing isn’t winning the hearts and minds of the Trump administration.
“Zelensky is an actor who committed a common mistake of theater kids: He started to think he’s the character he plays on TV,” an unnamed White House official involved in peace talks was quoted by Axios. “Yes, he has been brave and stood up to Russia. But he would be six feet under if it wasn’t for the millions we spent, and he needs to exit stage right with all the drama.”
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