Ukraine’s criticism of the United States is “unacceptable,” National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said Thursday, urging Kyiv to moderate its rhetoric and swiftly agree to a minerals deal proposed by the White House.
“We’re getting all this pushback… they need to tone it down, take a hard look, and sign that deal,” Waltz told Fox News shortly before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was scheduled to meet Trump’s special envoy, Keith Kellogg, in Kyiv.
Waltz referred to a proposed agreement that would grant the U.S. access to Ukraine’s vast natural resources. President Donald Trump has emphasized the need for a return on American aid sent to Kyiv as the country battles a Russian invasion. However, Zelensky rejected the deal over the weekend, citing the absence of security guarantees three years into the conflict.
Waltz defended the agreement, calling it “the best security guarantee they could ever hope for, much more than another pallet of ammunition,” arguing that U.S. investment in Ukraine would provide long-term benefits.
The U.S. president has caused unease in Kyiv and among European allies by initiating direct talks with Moscow, which some fear could pressure Ukraine into concessions to Russia. Kyiv was notably excluded from recent discussions in Riyadh between Moscow and Washington, sidelining both Ukraine and Europe.
Since Zelensky’s rejection of the minerals deal, tensions between the once-close allies have escalated. Trump has labeled Zelensky a “dictator,” while Zelensky accused Trump of operating under a “Russian disinformation” narrative. The exchange has marked a sharp rift in their relationship.
“There’s obviously a lot of frustration here,” Waltz said during the Fox interview. When asked if the dispute could be resolved, he responded, “I think so… To say that we’re going to change the nature of our aid going forward shouldn’t offend anyone.”
Waltz also denied claims that Ukraine has been excluded from Trump’s negotiations with Russia, insisting that there has been “plenty of engagement and dialogue” with Kyiv and European allies. “This is a common-sense plan. They may not like it, but we’re going to drive it forward, and everybody will stop squawking when the fighting ends,” he added.
He emphasized that Washington and Moscow share a mutual interest in ending the conflict. “We’re going to move forward full speed ahead to drive this war to an end, and then we can talk about broader geo-strategic relationships,” Waltz said.
