Trump's congressional speech was set to address minerals deal with Ukraine - Mike Waltz
Photo: National Security Advisor Mike Waltz (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump had initially planned to report to Congress on a successful minerals deal with Ukraine. Instead, he had to change these plans, said US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, according to CNN.
According to the Advisor, President Donald Trump's speech on Tuesday, March 4, at a joint session of Congress was originally supposed to be about signing a minerals deal with Ukraine.
"We were planning to address, to announce this mineral deal, that it would have been signed Friday and was a very positive step forward for all sides,” Waltz said.
The Advisor noted that the deal was important not only for the US but also for American taxpayers, who have "given so much of their hard-earned treasure so that Ukraine could defend itself." However, the plans had to be changed.
"That was the plan. We’ll see what happens in the next 48 hours,” Waltz added.
Clash between Trump and Zelenskyy
Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Washington and held a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House. The meeting was expected to result in the signing of a minerals deal between the US and Ukraine.
However, during a press conference in the Oval Office, a disagreement broke out between the two leaders. Trump claimed that Zelenskyy had no cards and accused him of ingratitude for the assistance provided.
Following this, Zelenskyy left the White House early. As a result, the US and Ukraine did not sign the minerals agreement.
Later, Zelenskyy stated that he could still save his relationship with President Trump after their heated encounter at the White House. The Ukrainian leader noted that negotiations should continue behind closed doors.
