UPDATE - 'Badmouthing' US 'unacceptable': National security adviser

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​​​​​​​By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukraine “badmouthing” the US is “unacceptable,” US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz said Thursday after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused President Donald Trump of living in a Russian-made "disinformation space."

In an interview with Fox News, Waltz urged Ukraine to "tone it down," and "take a hard look" at a mineral deal that the US offered and sign it.

The Trump administration proposed a deal that would allow the US to own 50% of Ukraine's rare earth minerals.

Zelenskyy directed his ministers not to sign the agreement that would grant the US access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals because the document was overly focused on US interests and lacked specific security guarantees in return.

Waltz described the offer as a “historic opportunity” for co-investment in Ukraine’s economy and natural resources, arguing that the partnership would provide Kyiv with long-term security benefits beyond military aid.

Waltz said the US differences with Ukraine can be reconciled. He said Trump wants to end the war between Ukraine and Russia, and added changing the nature of US aid going forward should not offend anyone.

- US pursues shuttle diplomacy

Waltz rejected the notion that the US is not talking to Ukraine on peace talks but said Washington is engaging in shuttle diplomacy. “We have had plenty of engagement and dialogue in order to drive this deal home,” he said.

He suggested that “bringing everybody to the table at once” did not work in the past and said the US is engaging with parties one after another.

Waltz described recent US talks with Russia in the Saudi capital as a “historic first step,” saying Washington is pushing for an end to the conflict.

He noted discussions covered security guarantees, territorial issues and prisoner exchanges, stressing that efforts are ongoing to resolve those matters.

He also criticized Democrats for not approving Trump's Ukraine plan and accused them of blocking the US' Ukraine strategy while supporting prolonged conflict. He argued it was contradictory for those advocating a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to simultaneously back an “endless war” in Europe.

“I guess all of those Democrats were perfectly fine with seeing hundreds of thousands of people in a meat grinder of a war,” he said.