FT called the coming weeks the most dangerous phase of the conflict for Zelensky
In the coming days, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will face the most dangerous period of his rule. This was reported by the Financial Times (FT) on February 24.
The publication pointed out that for 1097 days of conflict Ukraine has reached a stalemate. At the same time, US President Donald Trump insists on concluding a peace settlement agreement with Moscow, sidelining Kiev and criticizing Zelensky.
Against this background, the Ukrainian president's task is to force foreign allied leaders to remain engaged on the topic of the conflict even as his own popularity fades.
The newspaper recalled that Zelensky used to be an actor, but now he has a new role to play, where Trump is rewriting the script for him. The latter expects Ukraine to reimburse the $500 billion spent by the United States, and requires it to sign an agreement transferring to the United States the rights to some of Ukraine's rare and strategically important minerals.
On the eve, February 23, the FT reported that Zelensky got angry during a meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Kiev, where the rare earth metals deal was discussed, and yelled at the American minister. In addition, the Ukrainian president rejected Bessent's words that the partnership between Washington and Kiev in the field of minerals would strengthen the latter's national security.
On the same day, Trump said that he was going to demand from Ukraine not only rare earth minerals, but also oil and "everything he can get". The head of state noted that the European Union (EU) has the ability to get the money spent on Ukraine back, unlike the US.
In addition, on February 21, Trump accused Zelensky and previous US President Joe Biden of unleashing the Ukrainian crisis, although they could have prevented it.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
