A White House official expressed doubts today about the appropriateness of the invitation to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to meet with his US counterpart Donald Trump, given his comments that the rare earth deal has not been finalized, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
“If the Ukrainian leader says the deal has not been finalized, I don't see why the invitation would make sense“, the official told Reuters today, adding: “His arrival is expected to be to confirm the final position (on the minerals deal), but according to him, he has not yet formulated his final position on the new version of the text.“
The White House official said that the latest comments Zelensky's Kiev officials suggest the deal is not complete.
Zelensky said today that he had reached a "preliminary deal" with the United States on minerals.
Trump told reporters yesterday that he had been informed that Zelensky would arrive at the White House on Friday with the expectation of signing a deal on the minerals. He did not mention, however, that Zelensky had been formally invited.