President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky will not agree to sign an agreement with the United States if its terms require repaying the debt over ten generations of Ukrainians. Therefore, a dialogue with U.S. leader Donald Trump is important.
This was stated by the head of state during a press conference.
If the current condition is that the U.S. provides aid, but Ukraine must return it with profit for the U.S., then it is an agreement, not a grant. "This is an agreement – not a grant. This is a new agreement. And I said that I am ready for such a dialogue," Zelensky said.
The president expressed confidence that such a dialogue would be constructive, regardless of his personal feelings, because Ukraine needs assistance.
"If your condition is that you will not provide aid unless we sign an agreement, then it is clear. The question is – how much aid are you offering? 10, 20, 30 billion, in weapons, direct financial assistance? Let's talk, I will be grateful, and tell me the price of this aid," Zelensky added.
He also explained one of the reasons why he did not agree to sign the agreement with the U.S.
"Because I do not understand this logic. Or let me explain how I see it. I am ready to discuss all this with Trump. They want a pragmatic agreement, okay, let's discuss it pragmatically. I have had several agreements in my life, I know how to sign agreements with serious people," Zelensky noted.
The president emphasized that the agreement should be made in a way that preserves friendly and partnership relations and provides a clear understanding of how to act in case of ending cooperation – "not through scandals and courts, but as partners."
"There is one key element. I highlighted it in red so that lawyers could discuss it. That is, for every dollar from the U.S., Ukraine must return two. In simple terms, this is a 100% loan. They say, 'This is your fund, we manage it 50/50.' No, 100% of the fund's rights belong to the U.S. And if the U.S. Congress votes to provide us with $50 billion, we must return $100 billion," he explained.
Zelensky stressed that under such conditions, Ukraine would have to repay $100 billion to the U.S.
"If this is inevitable and we cannot do without it, then we must go for it. But I have a question – when the U.S. sells weapons to Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia – they make a 100% profit. I want a dialogue with Trump. I want a dialogue. I am not signing something that ten generations of Ukrainians will have to pay for," the president emphasized.
Background. Earlier, Mind reported that President Volodymyr Zelensky declared his readiness to step down from office in exchange for peace for Ukraine. "I can trade this for NATO if those are the conditions," the president added.