President Zelensky Threatens to Cancel Visas for Ukrainian Deputies Who Do Not Support the USA’s Subsoil Agreement
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he expects the ratification of an agreement on mineral resources with the United States in the Verkhovna Rada. At the same time, he expressed a firm stance regarding deputies who, in his words, will not support this agreement, hinting that they should be deprived of American visas. He voiced this opinion on Saturday during a conversation with journalists, which gained widespread media coverage through references to "Sуспільне" and "European Pravda." In his speech, Zelensky emphasized that ratification of the agreement is not just a formality but a strategic move that will determine Ukraine's future. According to him, deputies, during the voting, will be, on one hand, voting "towards the future," and on the other, to preserve the resources and opportunities that are important for the country now. At the same time, Zelensky highlighted that not all parliamentarians are positively inclined toward this agreement. “There are people who are inclined not to do it. Therefore, I believe that the USA should simply cancel their visas,” he cautiously noted. The president did not specify names but hinted at deputies who regularly travel to the USA, visit Congress and Senate institutions, express support for Ukraine in private conversations, and share insights about the situation in the country. Zelensky pointed out that these words contrast sharply with what they say in the USA. In his words, in the USA, these same deputies appear as friends, brothers in blood, but upon returning to Ukraine, they do not support voting or decisions that align with American foreign policy and security interests. The head of state emphasized that the vote in the Verkhovna Rada will be transparent and open — everyone will see who votes in favor of supporting the agreement and who does not. “Playing a double game is not acceptable,” Zelensky summarized, stressing that the Ukrainian people deserve honesty and responsibility from their elected representatives. On the eve, Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that the Verkhovna Rada plans to ratify the agreement with the USA on subsoil resources by May 8. However, it is worth noting that the "technical" documents—essential for the final approval of the agreement and outlining its detailed legal content—have not yet been published or signed. Without these, it is impossible to assess the full scope and long-term consequences for the country. Overall, this situation raises many discussions and concerns regarding the influence not only of internal politics but also of international interests on Ukraine’s decisions. More details and analysis of the terms and potential risks of Ukraine's agreement with the USA can be found in the article "Minerals in exchange for weapons: what is included in Ukraine’s agreement with the USA and what risks remain."