It has been an intense diplomatic week at the White House. Three days after French President Emmanuel Macron's visit, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer came to Washington on Thursday, February 27, to try to contain the transatlantic fire triggered by the resumption of bilateral contact between the Trump administration and the Kremlin, which had given the impression the United States was disregarding both the fate of Ukraine and that of the Europeans.

On the eve of President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the White House to conclude an agreement on the exploitation of Ukrainian mineral resources, President Donald Trump welcomed the development as a step forward that he considers a priority. The agreement, more balanced compared to the initial version that was very unfavorable to Kyiv, "will provide the basis for a more sustainable future relationship between the United States and Ukraine, and thus stimulate the long-term prosperity that will help the Ukrainians rebuild their country," he assured.

Peace through economics: that seems to be the approach with Moscow, according to the US president, to put an end to the "spiral of death" in Ukraine. "I support it," he said of Article 5 of the NATO Charter, which provides for solidarity between Alliance members in the event of an attack. Trump was also more amenable toward Zelensky, whom he had described as a "dictator" before their positions drew closer over minerals. "Did I say that? I can't believe I said that. Next question."

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