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Russian Ministry of Defense: 37 Ukrainian drones destroyed in 4 hours over regions of Russia and the Black Sea.
Sheikh Qassem: Our supporters make up more than half of Lebanon's population, and all of these people are united under the banner of protecting Lebanon, its Resistance, its people, and its integrity.
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Zelensky's 'missteps' in mineral deal threaten US-Ukraine ties: Axios

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 21 Feb 2025 18:34
3 Min Read

As Trump tries to deliver on his promise to quickly end the Russia-Ukraine war, negotiations have hit a rough patch.

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  • US Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg, left, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky talk during their meeting in Kiev, Ukraine, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
    US Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg, left, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky talk during their meeting in Kiev, Ukraine, Feb. 20, 2025 (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Axios on Friday reported that tensions between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have reached a breaking point during peace negotiations with Russia, with Trump considering withdrawing American military support for Ukraine. The escalating conflict has alarmed European allies, who fear this could embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin.

National Security Advisor Mike Waltz confirmed Trump's growing frustration with Zelensky, a relationship that has been strained since Trump's impeachment in 2019 over allegations that he pressured Zelensky to investigate Hunter Biden. Now, as Trump tries to deliver on his promise to quickly end the Russia-Ukraine war, negotiations have hit a rough patch.

Mineral Showdown

Five key incidents over nine days contributed to the tension. On February 12, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met Zelensky in Kiev to offer US access to Ukrainian mineral rights in exchange for American protection. Trump later criticized Zelensky for being "rude" and delaying the meeting.

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On February 14, at the Munich Security Conference, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought Zelensky's support for the mineral rights deal. Zelensky surprised them by stating he lacked the authority to approve the deal without parliamentary consent.

On February 15, Zelensky publicly rejected the proposal at the conference, calling it "not in the interests of a sovereign Ukraine," which contradicted his earlier positive comments on social media.

On February 18, Zelensky criticized peace talks held in Saudi Arabia between US and Russian officials, pointing out that Ukraine was excluded from the discussions. In response, Trump accused Zelensky of starting the war with Russia and claimed Zelensky's approval rating was only 4%.

The following day, on February 19, Zelensky fired back, stating that Trump "lives in a disinformation space." Trump escalated the conflict by mocking Zelensky as a "modestly successful comedian" who became a "dictator without elections."

Vice President Vance later condemned Zelensky's public criticism, stating, "He's attacking the only reason [Ukraine] exists, publicly, right now... It's disgraceful." White House insiders expressed frustration, accusing Zelensky of overestimating his influence due to former President Biden's unconditional support.

Read more: Trump to Ukraine: Pay $500 Billion or else

Despite the tension, negotiations continue, with a revised mineral rights deal under discussion as part of a peace settlement. However, the deal could require Ukraine to cede Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine, prompting criticism that it amounts to a "mafia shakedown." A Trump administration official bluntly stated, "It's a sh*t sandwich... Ukraine is going to have to eat it because [Trump] has made clear this is no longer our problem."

  • Volodymyr Zelensky
  • Rare Earth Elements
  • Donald Trump
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

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Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, executive director of the defense division of the Israeli National Cyber Directorate, undated (Social media)

Israeli-born US prosecutor drops Israeli officer child sex crime

  • Politics
  • 19 Aug 2025
Almost instantly after the Helsinki Accords were signed, organisations sprouted to document purported violations, whose findings were fed to overseas embassies for international amplification. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab el-Hajj)

How ‘Human Rights’ became a Western weapon

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  • 23 Aug 2025
Israeli soldiers stand on the top of armoured vehicles parked on an area near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 (AP)

Palestinian fighters target Israeli soldiers, vehicles in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 21 Aug 2025
Launch of a ballistic missile from Yemen toward the occupied Palestinian territories. (YAF military media)

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