We are just getting reports from Reuters on some pretty significant comments from Ukrainian presidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy, who said thatUkrainecould sign the minerals deal memorandum with US online today. Zelenskyy also warned thatRussia appeared to be amassing 60,000 troopsnearSumy, with offensives also inPokrovskandZaporizhzhiaregions. He also said Ukraine had evidence of China supplying Russia with artillery. He also directly attacked US envoySteve Witkoff– currently talking to European partners in Paris – blaming him for“spreading Russian narratives”about the war, and stressed again thatUkraine would not discuss territorial questionsuntil ceasefire was put in place. I will bring you more when we have it. Responding to reporters’ questions before starting his lunch withMeloni,Trumpsaid that trade negotiations with other countries were“moving along very nicely,”but insisted the US was“in no rush”to conclude the talks. “The United States was ripped off and taken advantage of by every country in the world, practically. I mean, I have to say practically, but just about everyone. That’s not going to happen any more, but we’re going to make fair deals,” he said. He also said he would make“a very good deal” with China. Trump also praised Meloni,saying she was “a great prime minister” and “doing a fantastic job in Italy.” “We’re very proud of her. I knew her right from the beginning. I knew her as a very early prime minister, and I knew she had great talent. She’s one of the real leaders of the world. And I’m very proud to be with her,” he said. Responding to his comments,Meloni said she was sure the EU would get a dealon tariffs, and said shewould invite Trump to come to Italy. She said she wanted to “speak frankly about the needs that every one of us has,” and “find the best way to make us both stronger.” Trump then said “we have something that everybody wants, you know what that means, right?” They will later continue their talks in theOval Office,when we should hear from them again. Italian prime ministerGiorgia Melonihas just arrived at the White House, welcomed byDonald Trumpby the entrance, where he appeared to say she was “a great person.” They are going to have a lunch next, followed by a more formal bilateral meeting. We are just getting reports from Reuters on some pretty significant comments from Ukrainian presidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy, who said thatUkrainecould sign the minerals deal memorandum with US online today. Zelenskyy also warned thatRussia appeared to be amassing 60,000 troopsnearSumy, with offensives also inPokrovskandZaporizhzhiaregions. He also said Ukraine had evidence of China supplying Russia with artillery. He also directly attacked US envoySteve Witkoff– currently talking to European partners in Paris – blaming him for“spreading Russian narratives”about the war, and stressed again thatUkraine would not discuss territorial questionsuntil ceasefire was put in place. I will bring you more when we have it. The second round of meetings at the Élysée Palace – this time with a broader group of European partners – is now under way, with US state secretaryMarco Rubioand White House envoySteve Witkofftalking with senior representatives of the British, French German, and Ukrainian administrations. Pope Francis, still recovering from double pneumonia,paid a surprise visit to Rome’s Regina Coeli, one of Italy’s most overcrowded prisons, to offerwell-wishes to inmates ahead of Easter, Reuters reported. The 88-year-old pontiff, gradually making more public appearances as he recovers from the biggest health crisis in his 12-year papacy, made a short foray outside of the Vatican, as the prison is only about a five-minute drive away. Francis stayed at the prison for about half an hour. The Vatican said he met with a group of about 70 inmates.“I wanted to be close to you,”he said, according to the Vatican. “I pray for you and your families.“ Speaking ahead of the Meloni-Trump meeting in Washington, expected to start around 6pm European time (5pm UK), a senior US official told reporters thatthe president sees the Italian leader as a valuable intermediary with Europeon trade, Nato spending and other issues. The two leaders have“a very special relationship”and plan to work together on issues such as ending the war inUkraine, the official told reporters in a conference call, reported by Reuters. Speaking hours before the leaders’ meeting, Italian economy ministerGiancarlo Giorgettitold a parliamentary hearing that he expected the country to meet Nato’s target of 2% of GDP on defence spending this year. On paper, hitting the 2% goal would require about €11bn, butItalywants toadjust its accounting criteriato align them to Nato’s rules and list as defence spending items which were previously excluded, Giorgetti said. Reuters noted that Italy’s spending level is currentlyone of the lowest among the countries in the military alliance,and it is under pressure from the United States to raise its outlays. Giorgia Meloniwill attempt to burnish her credentials as a possible bridge between the EU and the US during a high-stakes summit withDonald Trumpin the White House on Thursday, the first European leader to meet the US president since he announced and then paused some of his planned trade tariff hikes. Italy’s far-right prime minister, who has nurtured friendly relations with Trump, arrived in Washington on Wednesday night. The pair will have lunch at 12pm local time before the meeting in the Oval Office, which will be attended by a pool of White House reporters and Italian journalists. “As you can imagine,I’m feeling no pressure at all,” Meloni joked at an event in Rome this week. “It’s a difficult moment,let’s see how the situation develops, but let’s remember that we have the strength, ability and intelligence to overcome any obstacle.” Before leaving for Washington, Meloni discussed the summit with the European Commission president,Ursula von der Leyen.Germany’s outgoing chancellor,Olaf Scholz, and his successor,Friedrich Merz, also discussed the meeting with Meloni, according to reports in the German edition ofPolitico. Scholz failed to get a meeting with Trump and Merz’s request is reportedly pending. Venice’sentrance fee will resume from Friday, with the main novelty this year being that last-minute day-trippers will pay double. Last year, as part of an experiment aimed atdissuading day visitors during busy periods, Venice became the first major tourist city in the world to charge people to enter. Although the initiative made little impact on visitor numbers, it didrake in €2.4m for the lagoon city’s coffers, much more than expected, and Venice authorities still believe it will eventually contribute to helping the Unesco world heritage city tackle overtourism. This year’s levy,which is bookable online, remains €5, butwill double if bought within three days before arrival in the city. Furthermore, it has been expanded to apply on 54 dates, mostly weekends, between 18 April and 27 July, almost double the number of days compared with last year. Last yearset a new record for visitors to Venice and its wider area, with more than 3.9 million staying overnight in the city’s historic centre. However, roughly 30 million people visit each year, the majority coming just for the day. And sticking withItalyfor a moment… The Bulgarian government, led byRosen Zhelyazkov, survived a vote of no confidence launched over what the opposition says was its failure to fight against widespread corruption, BTA news agency reported. Reuters explained that the no-confidence motion, the second this month, was initiated by the populist MECh party and backed by lawmakers from theVazrazhdaneandVelichieparties. It failed to secure the necessary majority. The ambassadors ofRussiaandBelaruswill not be invited to the German parliament’s commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the second world war’s endover concerns they could “exploit” the event for anti-Ukraine propaganda. The ceremony in the Bundestag lower house on 8 May marking the allies’ defeat of Nazi Germany willinclude several representatives of the diplomatic corps in Berlinbut bar the envoys from Moscow and Minsk based on “the government’s assessment on the invitation of representatives”, a parliament spokesperson said. “This assessment led to the ambassadors of the Russian Federation and Belarus, among others, not being invited.” The embassies of Russia and Belarus did not immediately respond to requests for comment. But the Russian ambassador,Sergey Nechayev,criticised the foreign ministry’s guidance as a“bitter disappointment”, telling the newspaper Berliner Zeitung that the traditional anniversary commemorations were “part of the path to our reconciliation”, which such decisions “endanger”.
Zelenskyy says US minerals deal could come today but attacks Witkoff for ‘spreading Russian narrative’ – Europe live
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Zelenskyy Announces Potential Minerals Deal with US Amid Escalating Tensions with Russia"
The Guardian
5.8
TruthLens AI Summary
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated that Ukraine may sign a memorandum for a minerals deal with the United States as early as today. This announcement comes amid escalating tensions, as Zelenskyy has reported that Russia is amassing approximately 60,000 troops near Sumy and is conducting offensives in regions such as Pokrovsk and Zaporizhzhia. Furthermore, he has alleged that China is providing artillery to Russia, which raises concerns about the geopolitical implications of such support. Zelenskyy also criticized U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who is currently engaged in discussions with European partners in Paris, accusing him of disseminating Russian narratives regarding the ongoing conflict. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine would not entertain any discussions about territorial issues until a ceasefire is established, underscoring the urgency of the situation on the ground.
In related developments, U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the White House, with discussions likely to focus on trade negotiations, NATO spending, and collaborative efforts to address the war in Ukraine. Trump has expressed a desire for fair trade deals and has praised Meloni's leadership, describing her as an important ally in Europe. As both leaders prepare for their meeting, Meloni has assured that Italy is on track to meet NATO's defense spending target of 2% of GDP, a commitment that has been under scrutiny given Italy's current expenditure levels. Additionally, the Italian economy minister indicated plans to adjust accounting criteria to include previously excluded items in defense spending. This summit is crucial for strengthening ties between the U.S. and Italy, especially as Meloni aims to position herself as a key intermediary in transatlantic relations during these challenging times.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former U.S. President Donald Trump highlight a complex interplay of geopolitical tensions, economic negotiations, and narrative control. Zelenskyy’s remarks about a potential U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal, Russian troop movements, and accusations against China and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff suggest a strategic effort to solidify Western support while countering Russian propaganda. Meanwhile, Trump’s comments on trade deals and praise for Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reflect a focus on economic nationalism and alliance-building, albeit with ambiguous implications for global diplomacy.
Geopolitical Tensions and Narrative Control
Zelenskyy’s warning about Russian troop buildups near Sumy and offensives in Pokrovsk and Zaporizhzhia serves to reinforce Ukraine’s urgent need for military and economic aid. His accusation that China is supplying artillery to Russia could escalate tensions between Kyiv and Beijing, potentially alienating a key global player. The direct criticism of Witkoff for “spreading Russian narratives” underscores Ukraine’s sensitivity to how its war effort is portrayed internationally, aiming to preemptively discredit any discourse that might undermine Western solidarity.
Economic Negotiations and Political Posturing
Trump’s emphasis on “fair deals” and his praise for Meloni reflect a broader agenda of economic nationalism and selective alliance-building. His vague yet confident remarks about a “very good deal” with China and insistence that the U.S. is “in no rush” suggest a deliberate strategy to project strength while leaving room for negotiation. Meloni’s reciprocal praise and invitation to Trump indicate a mutual interest in strengthening U.S.-EU ties, though her focus on tariffs hints at underlying trade tensions.
Potential Manipulative Elements
The article’s framing of Zelenskyy’s accusations and Trump’s trade rhetoric could be seen as amplifying divisive narratives. By highlighting Zelenskyy’s claims without independent verification (e.g., China’s alleged artillery supplies), the report risks perpetuating unverified geopolitical stakes. Similarly, Trump’s trade bravado may be overstated to cultivate a image of decisive leadership, masking the complexities of actual negotiations. The lack of contextual depth—such as Witkoff’s specific statements or the minerals deal’s terms—raises questions about selective reporting.
Audience and Impact
This news likely resonates with Western audiences invested in Ukraine’s defense and U.S. foreign policy, particularly those wary of Russian and Chinese influence. Economically, vague trade talk could unsettle markets dependent on U.S.-EU-China relations, though specific sectoral impacts (e.g., defense, rare earth minerals) remain unclear. The piece subtly reinforces a “West vs. Axis of Authoritarianism” narrative, potentially polarizing readers along ideological lines.
AI and Narrative Influence
While there’s no clear evidence of AI-generated content, the article’s concise, bullet-point-style reporting aligns with automated news aggregation. If AI were involved, it might prioritize sensational claims (e.g., “60,000 troops,” “China supplying artillery”) to drive engagement, amplifying geopolitical anxieties without nuanced analysis. The lack of counter-perspectives (e.g., Russian or Chinese rebuttals) could reflect algorithmic bias toward Western sources.
Credibility Assessment
The report’s reliance on Zelenskyy and Trump’s statements without corroborating evidence or opposing viewpoints limits its objectivity. The minerals deal and Witkoff accusations remain speculative, and Trump’s trade remarks are characteristically vague. While the core facts (e.g., Zelenskyy’s press conference, Trump-Meloni meeting) are plausible, the framing leans toward sensationalism, earning a
moderate reliability score
—useful for gauging official stances but requiring verification for actionable insights.