Trump Says He Doesn’t Blame Zelensky for Russia’s Invasion but Renews Criticism:

President Donald Trump, at a joint press conference with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the White House, expressed his thoughts, stating, “I don’t hold Zelensky responsible, but I’m not exactly thrilled that the war started.” He remarked that he doesn’t regard President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine as bearing any of the blame for the Russian-Ukrainian conflict while maintaining a critical view of Zelensky.

Contrary to earlier comments made by Trump claiming Ukraine had initiated the war, he said, “I wouldn’t say he’s done the greatest job. I’m not a big fan.”

In Public And Between Countries, Relations Remain Tense

During an interview with CBS, Zelensky extended an invitation for Trump to visit Ukraine in order to see the consequences of war for himself. The invitation came after a public disagreement in February involving Trump, JD Vance, Zelensky, and the latter’s Vice President, which turned into a heated conversation in front of the media. Trump lashed out at the media following the invitation.

Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister, attached a phrase that condemned freedom and claimed that they “defended freedom in Ukraine together,” reminding everyone Italy is still part of the unified European support chain since the war started back in February 2022, saying that, “Together, we can build a just and lasting peace.”

Agreements On Investment And Minerals Between Ukraine And The United States

Unless I am mistaken, Trump has already placed a cyber negotiating on a strategic minerals deal with Ukraine that would be ready for signing the coming Thursday. After the February confrontation between Trump and Zelensky, it certainly seemed talks were frozen, but that appears to have come back on course.

To add, as noted by Ukraine's Yulia Svyrydenko who is the Minister of Economy of Ukraine, she posted on X that Kyiv has signed a “Memorandum of Intent” with Washington for the Investment Fund for Reconstruction of Ukraine, suggesting that plans were already underway. Although devoid of granular explanation, Svyrydenko seemed notably hopeful about it.

As was noted by the US Treasury's Scott Bessent, he confided to AFP that indeed the intention in the final deal is a culmination aimed for April 26.