KYIV — President Trump’s particular envoy to the Ukraine Struggle urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to signal the now-deferred mineral rights deal with Washington through the envoy’s go to to Kyiv final week, however Zelensky’s chief of workers insisted on the Friday Oval Workplace signing that went badly awry, a senior US official concerned with the talks informed The Put up.
After three days of intense negotiations, retired Gen. Keith Kellogg secured the long-sought settlement with Ukraine that will have offered Washington with 50% of all future proceeds from the European nation’s profitable crucial and rare-earth minerals.
“Kellogg and Zelensky had agreed to a take care of one merchandise nonetheless to be finalized,” the US official mentioned of the talks that concluded Feb. 21.
As negotiations wrapped up, Zelensky chief of workers Andrii Yermak pushed for the Ukrainian president to affix Trump on the White Home to signal the settlement.
Kellogg “suggested towards it, understanding that the connection [between the presidents] wanted to be strengthened” earlier than assembly in-person, in accordance with the official.
Nevertheless, a supply conversant in Yermak’s ways mentioned Zelensky’s workplace “continued to power the problem.”
Kellogg was able to stroll away, practically leaving Ukraine with no deal to current Trump.
Nevertheless, Zelensky’s workplace reversed course on the final minute after the retired normal boarded his practice to Poland, apparently recognizing Kellogg was their finest shot at mending frayed relations with the US president.
Impressed by Kellogg’s simple negotiations and shows of respect all through — together with a go to with wounded Ukrainian troops in a navy hospital northwest of Kyiv — Zelensky’s workplace rushed paperwork to the practice that Kellogg may take again to Trump.
Even after the shut name, Kyiv pushed ahead with the plan to seal the deal in Washington — a big gamble that backfired Friday when Zelensky bought right into a heated change with Trump and Vice President JD Vance on the White Home and was subsequently booted out of the West Wing.
“Zelensky performed it as mistaken as he may play it,” the senior US official mentioned. “He got here into the Oval performing like a tricky man. It didn’t play nicely. Everybody within the room felt insulted.
“Now Zelensky must determine how one can repair this on his personal. We are able to’t repair it for him.”
Zelensky claimed throughout a press convention Wednesday that he had been invited to the White Home, nevertheless it was unclear whether or not he was referring to a standing supply or if an invitation had been issued particularly to signal the settlement.
A number of Ukrainian sources informed The Put up this week they suspected the Zelensky crew pressured the White Home go to.
It didn’t assist that the Ukrainian president appeared for the crucial assembly dressed down in informal pants and a black, long-sleeved shirt slightly than choosing a swimsuit.
Whereas former President Joe Biden could have tolerated the wartime costume code, it ought to have been abundantly clear to the Ukrainian that Trump would have higher appreciated extra formal apparel, insiders mentioned.
“Sporting a swimsuit could sound like a small factor, and I do know [President Zelensky] prefers his navy type, nevertheless it was the mistaken selection,” the US official mentioned.
Zelensky’s cupboard of ministers ratified the mineral settlement in Kyiv on Thursday, Ukrainian parliamentary sources mentioned.
The one factor left to do was for Zelensky to signal the doc, which by no means befell after the dramatic show earlier than the world’s press within the Oval Workplace.
The verbal volleys left Kyiv reeling Friday evening, with Ukrainians who spoke to The Put up disagreeing over which nation’s president was extra at fault.
The paradox going through Zelensky is that whereas many Ukrainians rallied behind him after a few of Trump’s earlier affronts — similar to dubbing him a “dictator” final week — additionally they perceive they want the US as a accomplice to defeat Moscow’s invasion as soon as and for all.
