US President Donald Trump on Thursday voiced respect for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the eve of his visit, downplaying an earlier jibe that he was a “dictator”.
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“I think we’re going to have a very good meeting tomorrow morning. We’re going to get along really well,” Trump said.
“I have a lot of respect for him,” Trump said of Zelensky at a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Trump has long criticised the billions in military and other aid Washington has given Ukraine, but took a different tone ahead of a meeting in which the two countries are expected to sign a deal on mining rights.
The deal, pushed by Trump as a form of compensation for Washington’s backing, would give the United States a share in much of Ukraine’s mineral wealth.
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“We’ve given him a lot of equipment and a lot of money, but they have fought very bravely,” Trump said.
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Trump calls Ukraine’s Zelensky a dictator, tells him to move fast or lose his country
Trump calls Ukraine’s Zelensky a dictator, tells him to move fast or lose his country