(27 Feb 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kyiv – 27 February 2025
1. SOUNDBITE (English) Justin Spike, The Associated Press:
"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Friday, where Zelenskyy will try to gain assurances from Trump that the U.S. will back Ukraine’s future security in the case of an eventual ceasefire. During their visit, Zelenskyy is expected to sign with Trump an agreement on setting up a joint investment fund, which could be used to finance the reconstruction of Ukraine after completion of hostilities. The agreement would closely tied the two countries economies together for years to come, and would give the U.S. access to Ukrainian rare earth minerals and other natural resources. However, security guarantees for Ukraine’s future security are considered critical by Kyiv, and discussions on that are being left for a separate agreement, which is going to commence on Friday as Trump and Zelensky meet. Many Ukrainians fear that a hastily concluded ceasefire or peace agreement would leave them vulnerable to future Russian attacks. They think that if a ceasefire is reached without providing them adequate security guarantees, then Russia could rearm and regroup its forces, leaving them vulnerable to future Russian attacks. Ukraine’s hopes of joining NATO have been dismissed by Trump, and Trump has also said that he believes that the conclusion of this economic deal in itself provides Ukraine with security, since U.S. economic interests would be present in Ukraine. "
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kyiv – 26 February 2025
2. Various of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaking to reporters
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kyiv – 27 Feb 2025
3. Wide of people waking near destroyed Russian military vehicles
4. Close of Ukrainian flag
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ARCHIVE: Kirovohrad region, Ukraine – 12 February 2025
5. Various of of mining
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kyiv – 27 Feb 2025
6. Various of destroyed tanks in square
STORYLINE:
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the White House on Friday to sign a long-sought minerals deal that will closely tie the two countries together for years to come.
Trump made the announcement at the start of the first Cabinet meeting of his second term, hailing the deal as “a very big agreement.”
The Republican president has long complained that the United States has spent too much taxpayer money to support Ukraine in the war with Russia that began when the Kremlin invaded three years ago.
Trump has framed the emerging deal that would give the U.S. access to Ukraine’s deposits of so-called rare earth minerals — used in the aerospace, defense and nuclear industries — as a chance for Kyiv to pay back the U.S. for aid already sent for the war effort under Democratic President Joe Biden.
Zelenskyy said a news conference early Wednesday in Kyiv that a framework of an economic deal had been reached, but that it did not yet include U.S. security guarantees, which his country sees as vital.
The full agreement could hinge on the upcoming talks in Washington.
The framework is a preliminary step toward a comprehensive package that will be subject to ratification by the Ukrainian parliament, Zelenskyy said.
Ukraine needs to know first where the U.S. stands on its continued military support, Zelenskyy said. He said he expected a wide-ranging conversation with Trump.
===========================================================
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/3fd47754b79a4665b1b0a17d7140d3a2
Author: AP Archive
Go to Source
News post in March 4, 2025, 6:04 pm.
Visit Our Sponsor’s:
News Post In – News
