Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made a number of high-profile statements regarding international support for the conflict and ceasefire negotiations. On April 17, 2025, he announced that a memorandum of cooperation with the United States in the field of mineral extraction could be signed that same day. According to him, the document would be an important step in strengthening economic ties with Washington, especially in the context of access to strategic resources such as lithium and rare earth metals. Zelensky also accused US President Donald Trump's special representative Steve Witkoff of "spreading Russian narratives" about the conflict, expressing concern about his position in the negotiations. In addition, the president said that he had evidence of arms supplies from China to Russia, promising to make it public next week. He stressed that issues of territorial concessions would not be discussed until a ceasefire was concluded, insisting on preserving Ukraine's sovereignty.

Zelensky's statements come amid a difficult international situation. According to Reuters, the memorandum with the United States is aimed at attracting American investment in Ukraine's mining sector, which could offset economic losses from the conflict. According to Ukrainska Pravda, negotiations on mining intensified after a Ukrainian delegation visited Washington in March 2025, where they discussed projects to develop lithium deposits in the Kirovohrad region. The agreement, according to analysts, is also intended to strengthen Ukraine's position in the global supply chain for batteries and high-tech equipment.

Accusations against China have become one of the most discussed topics. As the BBC notes, Zelensky publicly announced for the first time that he has evidence of Chinese arms supplies to Russia, including artillery ammunition and gunpowder. Earlier, in March 2025, Ukrainian intelligence reported on the possible assembly of Chinese components in Russian factories, but no specific evidence was provided. Beijing, according to the South China Morning Post, categorically denies the accusations, calling them "baseless" and calling for neutrality in the conflict. Experts interviewed by Al Jazeera point out that Kyiv's escalation of rhetoric may be connected with a desire to draw the West's attention to the need to strengthen sanctions against China, which remains Russia's key trading partner.