Zelenskyy rejects debt repayment in US aid deal

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Wednesday, February 26th, 2025

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Sources Anadolu Ajansı
Kyiv – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated Wednesday that Kyiv will not accept any aid from the US that requires repayment, emphasizing gratitude but rejecting financial obligations tied to assistance.
“The question is not that we are ungrateful. We are grateful. But if the next agreement contains a condition that new aid will not be free, I will not play,” Zelenskyy told journalists in Kyiv.
Dismissing claims of massive debts tied to mineral resource deals, he clarified that Ukraine does not owe $500 billion, $350 billion, or even $100 billion. “That would be unfair to us,” he asserted.
Zelenskyy confirmed that the agreement does not require ratification and stressed Ukraine’s commitment to maintaining a strong military. He noted that security guarantees for Ukraine are mentioned in the agreement, a crucial aspect for Kyiv.
Regarding his diplomatic engagements, Zelenskyy expressed hope for a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington: “There was an invitation. The offices are working. We are waiting to see when and what.” He also announced plans to visit London to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European officials.
While acknowledging that the agreement could be a major success or go unnoticed, he emphasized that its impact depends on discussions with Trump. “A big success depends on the conversation with Trump,” he said.
Though Zelenskyy has not yet reviewed the final version of the deal, he stated that Ukrainian officials view it positively. “They say ‘it can work.’ The key issues I raised are there,” he concluded.