Source: Bessent in an interview with CBS's Face the Nation
Direct quote: "I don't know what President Zelensky was thinking. On Monday, we had French President Emmanuel Macron – it was a wonderful meeting. On Thursday, we had the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer – a fantastic meeting. They all supported the progress of the peace agreement."
Details: According to Bessent, Zelensky was supposed to sign an economic agreement that could have deepened cooperation between the two countries, but that did not happen.
"All Zelensky needed to do was show up and sign this economic agreement, thereby reaffirming the complete unity between the Ukrainian and American people. But he chose to undermine all of that," Bessent stated.
When asked if negotiations on the agreement were ongoing, Bessent replied, "not at the moment."
Background:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky left the White House early on Friday after a dispute with Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
- U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the Ukrainian president "disregarded" the United States, and that Zelensky is "not ready for peace".
- U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz remarked that "it is unclear if Zelensky truly wants to stop the fighting. He came dressed inappropriately to address such matters."
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that Washington is ready to resume engagement as soon as Ukraine is ready for peace.
- Zelensky commented to reporters that Ukraine is ready to sign an agreement on minerals with the United States.