Mr. Zelensky predicts a lasting and solid peace

US President Donald Trump has said he is likely to have a face-to-face meeting with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky as early as next week, adding that he also wants to discuss it with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin soon.

Since taking office last month, the Trump administration has signaled the possibility of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, but no details have been released so far. Commenting on the prospects for dialogue, officials in Moscow have expressed cautious optimism.

Speaking to reporters during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the White House on February 7, President Trump said: “I will probably meet with Mr. Zelensky next week.” He added that the meeting will most likely take place on US soil, because “I will not be going there.”

“And I will probably talk to President Putin. I want to see that war ended,” Mr. Trump said, adding: “President Putin and I have always had a good relationship.”

President Trump reiterated his long-held view that the conflict in Ukraine would never have happened had he been in power in February 2022.

The US president also said he wanted to discuss with Mr. Zelensky the “security” of Ukraine’s rare earth mineral deposits. Earlier this week, he also stated that “we are looking to make a deal with Ukraine where they will guarantee what we provide them in terms of rare earth resources and other things.”

Mr. Trump once again accused NATO member states in Europe of spending much less than the United States in supporting Ukraine, while pledging to “rebalance” the situation.

Commenting on Mr. Trump's latest statements on the social media platform X on the evening of February 7, Mr. Zelensky wrote: "The coming weeks will likely be very eventful diplomatically, and we will do what is necessary to make this period productive and useful."

“Right now, Ukrainian and American teams are discussing the details. A solid and lasting peace will become closer,” he predicted.