In a recent interview on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent dropped a bombshell revelation about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Bessent disclosed that Zelensky had not only once but twice turned down a significant minerals deal with the United States, a decision that left many scratching their heads in disbelief.
During a meeting in Kyiv, Zelensky made it clear to Bessent that he would not be signing off on a deal that would have exchanged billions of dollars in US aid funding for rare earths and other valuable resources from Ukraine. What’s more, Zelensky reportedly also refused to close the deal with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, leaving many high-ranking officials stunned and perplexed by his decision.
The fallout from Zelensky’s refusal to sign the deal was palpable, culminating in a tense exchange between him, Trump, and Vance that played out in front of reporters and cameras. The heated confrontation ultimately led to the cancellation of a scheduled meeting between Zelensky and Trump, marking a significant setback in diplomatic relations between the two countries.
In the aftermath of the debacle, Bessent did not mince words in his assessment of the situation, describing Zelensky’s actions as “one of the greatest diplomatic mishaps of all time.” Drawing a comparison to a soccer term, Bessent referred to Zelensky’s decision as a “own goal,” highlighting the self-inflicted nature of the diplomatic blunder.
Reflecting on the events that transpired, Senator Eric Schmitt took to social media to express his frustration, noting that Zelensky’s behavior had been difficult for weeks leading up to the canceled meeting. Despite Trump’s optimism about the White House meeting, Zelensky’s refusal to sign the deal and his confrontational demeanor ultimately derailed the proceedings, leaving many wondering what could have been.
Following the fallout, Trump took to his Truth Social account to share his disappointment with Zelensky’s actions, suggesting that the Ukrainian President was “not ready for Peace.” Despite the setback, Zelensky remained grateful for the support of the American people, expressing his commitment to achieving “just and lasting peace” for Ukraine.
As the dust settled on the failed deal and canceled meeting, one thing remained clear – the fallout from Zelensky’s decision would have far-reaching implications for diplomatic relations between the United States and Ukraine. Only time will tell how both countries navigate the fallout and work towards rebuilding trust and cooperation in the future.
