Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed optimism Sunday about repairing his relationship with the United States following a tense Oval Office meeting with President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance on Friday.
Speaking to reporters in London after discussions with European leaders, Zelenskyy indicated he remains willing to sign a rare-earth minerals deal with the U.S., the original focus of his Washington visit, despite the fallout that scuttled its planned signing.
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“If we agreed that it [the deal] will be signed, from our side we are ready to sign. I honestly think the United States will be ready, as well. Maybe they need time to analyze some things,” Zelenskyy said via translator. “As regards salvaging the relationship, I think our relationship will continue,” he added, stressing a preference for private talks moving forward. “I do not think it’s right when such discussions are totally open … The format of what happened, I don’t think it brought something positive,” he noted, reflecting on Friday’s public dispute.
The Oval Office encounter escalated when Zelenskyy questioned U.S. diplomatic efforts, prompting Trump and Vance to criticize his lack of gratitude for American aid—estimated at over $100 billion since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Trump warned Zelenskyy was “gambling with World War III” and later posted on Truth Social that Zelenskyy “disrespected the United States” in the Oval Office, suggesting he return only when “ready for Peace.” The minerals deal, intended to tie U.S. economic interests to Ukraine, was shelved amid the fray.
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In London, Zelenskyy received a warmer welcome from British leaders, contrasting with the Washington strain. Some U.S. lawmakers voiced doubts about his leadership.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press that Zelenskyy “needs to come to his senses and come back to the table in gratitude or someone else needs to lead,” while Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) suggested Friday that Zelenskyy might need to “resign” or “change” for relations to progress.
The meeting followed weeks of friction, with Trump previously calling Zelenskyy a “dictator”—a label he later softened—and claiming Ukraine sparked the war.
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On Fox News Friday, Zelenskyy thanked the U.S. but declined to apologize, saying, “I’m not sure that we did something bad.”
Both sides now face a crossroads, with Zelenskyy eyeing dialogue and Washington weighing next steps after a summit that laid bare their divide. For now, the minerals deal hangs in limbo as Zelenskyy pushes for a reset behind closed doors.
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