Ukrainian President Zelensky (left) met with US Congressman Fitzpatrick (right) in Kyiv on the 17th. (AP)
President Trump said that the United States and Ukraine will sign a key mineral agreement next Thursday (the 24th). In addition, according to sources, American officials stated at a meeting in Paris that they hope to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire in Ukraine within weeks.
On Thursday (the 17th), when meeting Italian Prime Minister Meloni (Giorgia Meloni) in the Oval Office, Trump said: "We have a mineral agreement, I think it will be signed on Thursday, and I believe they will honor this agreement."
This statement implies that the stalled agreement due to a disagreement between Ukrainian President Zelensky and him and Vice President Pence in the Oval Office is back on track, and suggests that both sides have reached an outline agreement on post-war plans for mining Ukraine's mineral resources and rebuilding infrastructure.
Trump requested that the US and Ukraine reach a joint development agreement as compensation for the weapons and other assistance provided by the US during Biden's administration.
Earlier this month, the two countries held technical consultations on the agreement and agreed to sign a transitional memorandum of intent to confirm the positive progress made. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov posted on social media platform X that the document was signed online later that evening, paving the way for the creation of an "economic partnership agreement and the Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund".
Meanwhile, sources familiar with the matter said that American officials expressed during a meeting with European officials in Paris that they hoped to achieve a full ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war within weeks.
Anonymous sources familiar with the matter said that Thursday's discussions included a meeting between French President Macron and US Special Envoy Vickers, with Ukrainian officials also in attendance. The focus of the meeting was on how to quickly achieve a ceasefire and reach a lasting peace. One source said that attendees expressed full support for Trump's core goal of quickly ending the war.
According to sources familiar with the matter, American officials indicated that they expected significant progress soon, and all parties present at Thursday's meeting agreed to work towards this goal.
The Elysée Palace said that national security advisors and negotiators from Germany, France, the United States, and the United Kingdom will meet again in London next week to follow up on discussions at the Paris meeting.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7494627342854275603/
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