President Donald Trump spoke to reporters on Air Force One on Sunday night, addressing a range of topics including Ukraine, tariffs on Iran, and the possibility of a third presidential term.
During the conversation, Trump expressed concerns about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, claiming that Zelenskyy is attempting to back out of a rare earth mineral deal with the U.S. Trump warned that if Zelenskyy renegotiates the agreement, he could face significant problems. "We made a deal on rare earths, and now he’s saying, ‘well, you know, I want to renegotiate the deal,’" Trump stated. This comes after Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine was ready to sign an agreement on minerals and security with the U.S., which he views as crucial for Ukraine’s security.
The situation escalated following a recent White House visit by Zelenskyy, which reportedly ended without a deal. Trump noted that Zelenskyy has expressed interest in NATO membership, but Trump emphasized that this was never going to happen.
Trump also commented on his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, asserting that it is not at its lowest point. He mentioned ongoing discussions about a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, stating, "I don’t think Putin is going to go back on his word for a partial ceasefire." Trump acknowledged that deals are made with people regardless of personal feelings.
On the topic of tariffs, Trump discussed the impact of secondary tariffs on Venezuela, explaining that they have effectively deterred many ships from doing business with the country. He indicated that he plans to apply tariffs broadly across various nations, aiming to strengthen U.S. economic interests.
As for the idea of running for a third term, Trump initially downplayed the notion, saying he was not actively considering it. However, he did mention that people have talked to him about the possibility. He reiterated his belief that the 2020 election was "totally rigged," but he stopped short of claiming he would run again.
Reporters pressed him for more details, but Trump was evasive, stating, "I don’t want to talk about a third term now. We have a long time. We have almost four years to go."
In summary, Trump’s remarks highlight ongoing tensions between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia, as well as his administration’s focus on trade and tariffs. The conversation reflects the complex landscape of international relations as well as Trump’s political ambitions as he looks to the future.