Ukraine does not recognize the $500 billion debt, according to Zelensky.

Ukraine does not recognize the $500 billion debt, says Zelensky

President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that he does not intend to acknowledge the agreement under which Ukraine would owe the United States $500 billion.

This statement was made by the head of state during a press conference on Sunday, February 23.

According to him, the terms set by the U.S. regarding the resource agreement were akin to a debt that Ukraine was supposed to repay to the States.

"I know we had 100 (billion dollars from the U.S. – ed.) and I do not intend to recognize 500, no matter what anyone says, regardless of how we communicate. With all due respect to our partners, I stand firm," - stated Zelensky.

The president also added that he does not wish to acknowledge the $100 billion debt to the U.S., as he does not consider the financial assistance from the U.S. to be a debt, since the funding was in the form of grants, which he negotiated with Congress and former President Joe Biden.

Zelensky explained that he is not ready to sign an agreement with the U.S. because his proposal does not reflect a partnership but only contains one-sided obligations from Ukraine. Currently, teams from Ukraine and the U.S. are working on a new draft agreement.