Zelensky spent much of the weekend in the United Kingdom after a disastrous stop in the Oval Office on Friday, in which a photo session with President Trump and Vice President JD Vance concluded with Zelensky being expelled from the White House. Zelensky irritated his hosts by objecting to diplomatic efforts to end the full-scale invasion of his country and by menacingly insisting that Americans would “feel” the consequences of halting the billions of dollars in military aid Kyiv has received in the past three years.
The unusual public display of disagreement ended without either side signing the minerals agreement – in theory, a deal in which the United States would help Ukraine develop what is believed to be a formidable natural reserve of rare-earth minerals and other metals in high demand for technological development. It also resulted in several prominent American supporters of Ukraine, most vocally Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), calling for Zelensky to resign.
Bloomberg reported on Sunday that, despite the interpersonal conflict on display on Friday, Zelensky said he would be open to returning to Washington.
