U.S. President Donald Trump expressed “a lot of respect” for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of their crucial White House meeting on Friday. Despite previously labeling Zelensky a “dictator,” Trump appeared to walk back his remarks, stating, “I can’t believe I said that.”
The talks come as Trump pushes for a swift resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war, following high-level U.S. discussions with Moscow that unsettled Western allies. Trump predicted a “very good meeting” and hinted at potential U.S. security guarantees, though he emphasized that a peace deal must come first.
Zelensky is expected to sign an agreement granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, which Trump suggested could serve as a strategic deterrent against future Russian aggression. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reaffirmed Britain’s readiness to contribute troops to a post-war peacekeeping force, provided the U.S. offers support.
