Zelensky to Meet Trump in Washington to Sign Minerals Deal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington on Friday to sign an agreement concerning the sharing of Ukraine’s mineral resources, Trump confirmed.

Zelensky has described the deal as a preliminary step and expressed his desire for further agreements, including US security guarantees to deter any renewed Russian aggression. However, Trump stated that the United States would not offer guarantees “beyond… very much”, arguing that responsibility for such matters should primarily lie with Europe.

Trump also appeared to rule out the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO, a long-standing ambition of Zelensky. Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Trump suggested that the presence of American workers extracting rare earth metals in Ukraine would provide “automatic security” for the country. He further stated that Kyiv should “forget about” NATO, repeating Russia’s claims that the expansion of NATO had been a driving factor in the ongoing conflict.

Despite Trump’s remarks, Zelensky maintained that without security guarantees, a ceasefire would not be achievable. “I want to find a NATO path or something similar,” he asserted. Russia has consistently opposed Ukraine’s NATO membership, fearing it would bring NATO forces too close to its borders. In 2008, NATO had stated that Ukraine could eventually join the alliance.

Trump has suggested that European peacekeeping troops could be deployed in Ukraine as part of a ceasefire agreement, though Russia has rejected this proposal. Notably, European representatives were excluded from initial talks between Washington and Moscow.

Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, remarked in an interview with the BBC on Wednesday that any peace agreement in Europe would require the agreement of European nations. She also noted that while the minerals deal is for Ukraine to decide, any peace settlement would require European involvement.

The minerals deal, which was formally supported by Ukraine’s government on Wednesday evening, is expected to play a significant role in the country’s reconstruction. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal revealed that the deal envisions an “investment fund” for Ukraine’s recovery. While specific details of the agreement have not been disclosed, the deal was first proposed by Zelensky as a way to provide the US with a tangible reason to continue supporting Ukraine.

Tensions had recently risen between Trump and Zelensky due to disagreements over the deal’s terms. Initially, Zelensky rejected a US request for $500 billion in mineral wealth, though reports suggest this demand has now been withdrawn. While Trump has praised the agreement as a “very big” opportunity for the US to recover its investment in Ukraine, Zelensky has referred to it as a “framework agreement” that will serve as the basis for further negotiations.

Trump, who has expressed a desire to end the war in Ukraine quickly, has also sought to reset relations with Russia. Following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the two leaders sent delegations to Saudi Arabia for bilateral talks, which notably excluded Ukraine.

In response, Zelensky accused the US of helping Putin “break out of years of isolation” and accused Trump of being influenced by “Russian disinformation.”

Ukraine is rich in natural resources, with an estimated 5% of the world’s “critical raw materials” located within its borders. However, accessing these resources is complicated. A significant portion of the mineral deposits is under Russian control, with resources worth $350 billion still situated in occupied territories, according to Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. Additionally, Ukraine faces the challenge of unexploded mines, with a quarter of its landmass estimated to be contaminated, especially in the war-torn eastern regions.

Russian President Putin has also expressed willingness to offer the US access to rare minerals, including those from areas of Ukraine currently under Russian occupation.

In a related development, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will also meet both Trump and Zelensky separately this week to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine. He is expected to arrive in Washington later on Wednesday. (Source BBC)