Trump's criticisms on Zelensky

US President Donald Trump on Friday criticized Ukraine for its president, Volodymir Zelensky, not yet having signed the rare earths agreement and expects that he will do so soon.

"Ukraine, under the leadership of Volodymir Zelensky, has not signed the final documents of the very important rare earths agreement with the United States. It's at least three weeks overdue. Hopefully, it will be signed IMMEDIATELY," he stated on his social network, Truth Social.

The agreement was supposed to be signed during an initial meeting of the Ukrainian leader at the White House on February 28, which ended in a harsh verbal confrontation and his departure from the White House without the document being signed.

The Ukrainian and American presidents, Volodymir Zelensky and Donald Trump, are likely to meet this Saturday in Rome on the sidelines of Pope Francis's funeral, a senior official told the AFP.

"The two presidents might meet," said the official on condition of anonymity. Mr. Trump stated upon his arrival in Rome that Kiev and Moscow were "very close" to a ceasefire agreement.

(MH with FM - Source: AFP/Agency - Photo: © DPA - Anadolu - Celal Gunes)