**Trump briefly wanted to cancel Zelenskyy's visit - French media**

 

    Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy stopped over in Ireland on his way to the US.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to visit the White House on Friday to sign a deal concerning rare earth minerals, though key details of the agreement remain under wraps. However, US President Donald Trump has resisted offering significant security guarantees to Ukraine during the visit. The relationship between Trump and Zelenskyy has been tense, and according to French media reports, Trump even considered canceling the meeting altogether. It was only after French President Emmanuel Macron intervened on Zelenskyy’s behalf that the invitation was reinstated.

According to BFMTV, which cited a diplomatic source, Trump’s team informed Ukraine on Wednesday that the meeting might be canceled. This prompted Zelenskyy to reach out to Macron, who then played a key role in persuading Trump to move forward with the visit. 

With the invitation back on the table, Zelenskyy is now expected at the White House. However, there will likely be a sense of unease until the meeting begins and concludes, as several potential issues remain that could derail the talks.

Despite the tensions, there has been a notable shift in Trump’s language regarding Zelenskyy. Following a meeting with UK opposition leader Keir Starmer, Trump refrained from calling Zelenskyy a “dictator,” a term he had used previously. Instead, the US president praised the Ukrainian leader, signaling a more diplomatic tone.

The focus of the visit will be the rare earth minerals deal, which has garnered attention due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the global demand for these critical resources. However, without the inclusion of strong security guarantees from the US, the agreement may fall short of expectations for Kyiv. 

As the visit unfolds, the world will be watching to see how the diplomatic dynamics between Trump and Zelenskyy evolve and whether they can find common ground on issues that matter most to Ukraine’s future.

Given the history of strained relations between the two leaders, this visit holds the potential for significant developments in US-Ukraine relations. The outcome will depend on how the negotiations unfold and whether Trump is willing to offer additional support to Ukraine amid its ongoing struggle. For now, the stakes remain high as Zelenskyy prepares for this crucial meeting with the US president.