Zelensky on US military aid: 'We are grateful, but it is not a loan'.

Ukraine has officially received a new project agreement from the US regarding minerals, which differs from the previous framework agreement. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the receipt of the new document at a briefing on March 28, 2025. According to Zelensky, the new document requires legal verification. Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, who reviewed the agreement during a meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant, noted that 'this is a completely different document' with provisions that were previously rejected by the parties. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine does not consider military assistance from the US a debt but is grateful for the support.An urgent meeting in Kyiv regarding the military contingent. The president announced an urgent meeting of the chiefs of staff of countries ready to provide a military contingent to Ukraine. 'We agreed to hold a meeting in Ukraine with a select group of chiefs of staff from the main countries that will definitely be ready for a contingent on Ukrainian territory. France, Britain, and Ukraine will definitely be there; this is such a triangle on this issue,' the president explained.Expansion of access to intelligence data and military resources. Ukraine has agreed to expand access to intelligence data from European countries during a meeting in Paris. 'We have agreed with partners from certain countries to expand Ukraine's access to intelligence data, access to relevant technologies, and satellites that our European colleagues have,' Zelensky emphasized. It was also agreed to provide access to ammunition depots and licenses for the production of air defense systems. In the future, Ukraine plans to obtain licenses for artillery production. The president noted that new defense packages for Ukraine will be announced during the 'Ramstein' meeting, and Great Britain and Germany are responsible for organizing the event.The issue of a ceasefire in the Black Sea. Zelensky expressed agreement with a possible ceasefire in the Black Sea and proposed to expand the security agreement for shipping. 'I do not see problems with a ceasefire at sea if there is a desire,' he said, adding that without monitoring, a ceasefire is impossible. The president noted that the US, Great Britain, Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria are capable of ensuring monitoring at sea.Negotiations with Russia and the situation in Kursk. Zelensky stated that Ukraine is ready to dialogue with representatives of business and the opposition in Russia but not with Putin. 'We would agree to talk to someone who would represent Russia. There are businesses in Russia, many regions, serious business directions. We would communicate with them if they have a vision of how to end the war,' the president said. Regarding the situation in the Kursk direction, Zelensky confirmed the presence of Ukrainian forces in Russian territory. He stated that the presence of Ukrainian troops in the Kursk direction has a deterrent effect to prevent an invasion of the Sumy region. The president reported that Ukraine has taken steps to disperse Russian troops below the Kursk region.