Zelensky says Ukraine is still willing to sign mineral deal to save relations with Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes he can salvage relations with U.S. President Donald Trump, but the two sides must continue to hold talks behind closed doors. He also said Ukraine was still willing to sign a mineral deal with the United States.

Reuters reported that Zelensky met the media at London Airport on Sunday (March 2) after meeting with European leaders in London. He thanked European countries for their support and made clear his desire to continue dialogue with Washington.

When Zelensky visited the White House last week, he had a heated on-air exchange with Trump. The two sides broke up on bad terms, and a planned mineral deal was put on hold.

Still, Zelensky does not expect the United States to stop providing aid to Ukraine. He said that as a "world-renowned leader," Americans would not be willing to help Russian President Vladimir Putin, but that he was prepared for any outcome.

He told reporters that he believed the relationship with Trump could be saved and would continue, but that discussions between the two sides were not appropriate to be fully public.

In response to a follow-up question on the US-Ukraine mineral agreement, Zelensky told a BBC reporter that the mineral agreement was ready and waiting for the minister to sign.

"Our policy is to continue what has been done in the past and we are constructive. If we have agreed to sign the mineral agreement, we can sign it at any time."

"If both sides are ready, then the agreement on the table can be signed," he added.

He also made clear that Ukraine would not cede sovereignty over the occupied territories to Russia.