Joanna Kakisis
Appearances
Up First from NPR
The Future of Ukraine ... and a US Consumer Agency. More on Black Hawk Crash
President Trump says he plans to visit Russia. His Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has poured cold water on two of Ukraine's most important goals, joining NATO and getting back all of its territory occupied by Russia. And these developments have really unsettled Ukrainians.
Up First from NPR
The Future of Ukraine ... and a US Consumer Agency. More on Black Hawk Crash
I've spoken to many who say they feel like the U.S., the country they most admire for its democratic values, is betraying them.
Up First from NPR
The Future of Ukraine ... and a US Consumer Agency. More on Black Hawk Crash
Well, Zelenskyy admitted that he has a lot of work to do to convince President Trump and his team that Russia is dangerous. Speaking in Munich today, Zelenskyy said he will not give up pushing for Ukraine to join NATO. He sees this Western alliance as Ukraine's strongest security guarantee against Russia, though he did question why NATO is so cautious around Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Up First from NPR
The Future of Ukraine ... and a US Consumer Agency. More on Black Hawk Crash
Now, the U.S. and other NATO member states are cautious about Moscow because they don't want this war to escalate. Russia is indeed a nuclear power. So Zelensky has tried to use the moment as a call for unity in Europe.
Up First from NPR
The Future of Ukraine ... and a US Consumer Agency. More on Black Hawk Crash
Well, you know, Ukraine is in talks to be a European Union member state. Zelensky wants to tie the EU's fate with Ukraine's, reminding Europeans that it's Ukraine's army that's holding back Russian troops from further aggression into Europe. And he told them, look, Russia takes advantage of perceived weakness and Europeans must be strong and united.
Up First from NPR
The Future of Ukraine ... and a US Consumer Agency. More on Black Hawk Crash
Zelensky echoed President Trump's call for Europe to take the lead in its own security.
Up First from NPR
The Future of Ukraine ... and a US Consumer Agency. More on Black Hawk Crash
Now, European army is not something that can be pulled together very quickly, of course. And, you know, negotiations are moving very quickly. Talks about how to end this war, this three-year war set to continue next week when the U.S. special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, is expected in Ukraine.
Up First from NPR
The Future of Ukraine ... and a US Consumer Agency. More on Black Hawk Crash
You're welcome, Scott.
Up First from NPR
The Future of Ukraine ... and a US Consumer Agency. More on Black Hawk Crash
Thanks for having me, Scott.
Up First from NPR
The Future of Ukraine ... and a US Consumer Agency. More on Black Hawk Crash
Yeah. Scott, it's given Zelensky an opportunity to publicly advocate for his country, surrounded by European allies who want to see Ukraine in the strongest possible position going into any negotiations to end the war. And Scott, this is important because the U.S., Ukraine's strongest single ally, is now speaking directly to Russia, the country that invaded Ukraine and continues to attack it.
Up First from NPR
Zelenskyy Visits DC, Tate Brothers In Florida, USAID Standoff, AOC and DOJ
Well, Michelle, the idea of swapping revenue from Ukraine's natural resources for continued U.S. support came from Zelensky himself last year. as part of his proposal to end the war. Zelensky says the deal on the table today is a framework rather than a final agreement, and it says the U.S. and Ukraine will jointly develop deposits of rare earth metals and critical minerals.
Up First from NPR
Zelenskyy Visits DC, Tate Brothers In Florida, USAID Standoff, AOC and DOJ
These are used in high-tech devices, and also develop deposits of oil and gas. I spoke about all this with Yuri Sak. He is an advisor to Ukraine's Minister of Strategic Industries.
Up First from NPR
Zelenskyy Visits DC, Tate Brothers In Florida, USAID Standoff, AOC and DOJ
Now, this agreement establishes a fund to help Ukraine recover should the war end. The fund would be managed by both countries, with Ukraine committing 50% of revenues earned from state-owned natural resources.
Up First from NPR
Zelenskyy Visits DC, Tate Brothers In Florida, USAID Standoff, AOC and DOJ
Well, Zelensky said earlier agreements would have used revenue to pay back aid Ukraine has already received from the U.S. In the current version, the terms are more favorable to Ukraine, and the revenue appears to go to future U.S. investment in Ukraine. Zelensky says he's pushing for security guarantees to be added to any final agreement.
Up First from NPR
Zelenskyy Visits DC, Tate Brothers In Florida, USAID Standoff, AOC and DOJ
Well, Michelle, Ukrainians I spoke to say it is a victory that this meeting is happening at all. Sergei Fursa, he's a financial consultant who is deputy director of Dragon Capital in Kiev. He's been following this deal very closely. And he said today's meeting gives Zelensky a chance to talk to Trump in person before Trump meets Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Up First from NPR
Zelenskyy Visits DC, Tate Brothers In Florida, USAID Standoff, AOC and DOJ
And he said this is also a crucial opportunity for Zelensky to reset Ukraine's relationship with the Trump administration.
Up First from NPR
Zelenskyy Visits DC, Tate Brothers In Florida, USAID Standoff, AOC and DOJ
Yes, I heard that fear from many Ukrainians, including Anna Kolesnik. She's a communications manager in Kyiv.
Up First from NPR
Zelenskyy Visits DC, Tate Brothers In Florida, USAID Standoff, AOC and DOJ
Because, she says, these days it feels like the U.S., Ukraine's most important ally, seems to be threatening to take things away, its friendship, its support, and that leaves Ukraine in a vulnerable position.
Up First from NPR
Zelenskyy Visits DC, Tate Brothers In Florida, USAID Standoff, AOC and DOJ
You're welcome.