Trump and Zelensky to Sign U.S.-Ukraine Mineral Resources Agreement Amid Security Concerns
Washington, D.C. – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Friday to sign a landmark agreement on sharing Ukraine’s mineral resources. The deal, described by Zelensky as preliminary, is aimed at strengthening economic ties, though security concerns remain at the forefront of discussions.
Limited U.S. Security Guarantees
Zelensky has expressed hopes for further agreements, including U.S. security guarantees to deter renewed Russian aggression. However, Trump has dismissed the possibility of extensive guarantees, stating, “The responsibility should instead fall to Europe.”
Trump also appeared to rule out Ukraine’s NATO membership, a long-standing goal for Zelensky. Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Trump suggested that American workers extracting rare earth metals in Ukraine would provide “automatic security” for the country. He urged Kyiv to “forget about” NATO, echoing Russian claims that Ukraine’s NATO ambitions contributed to the ongoing conflict.
Potential Ceasefire and European Involvement
Trump hinted that a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia could be near, telling reporters, “We’re going to make a deal with Russia and Ukraine to stop killing people.” However, Zelensky insisted that without firm security guarantees, “we won’t have a ceasefire, nothing will work.”
While Trump has proposed deploying European peacekeeping troops in Ukraine as part of a ceasefire, Russia has opposed the idea. European officials, who were not included in Washington’s talks with Russia, have voiced concerns. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas stated, “For any kind of deal to work on European soil, you need the Europeans to also agree to it.”
Key Aspects of the Mineral Resources Deal
The mineral resources agreement, formally backed by the Ukrainian government on Wednesday evening, is expected to establish an investment fund for Ukraine’s reconstruction. However, crucial details remain undisclosed. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has described it as a significant step toward post-war economic recovery.
Originally proposed by Zelensky last year, the deal aimed to offer the U.S. a tangible reason to continue supporting Ukraine. However, disagreements over its terms have strained relations between Trump and Zelensky. Media reports suggest that the U.S. initially demanded $500 billion in mineral wealth, a request that Ukraine rejected but has since been dropped.
Trump has praised the agreement as an opportunity for the U.S. to “get its money back” after providing financial aid to Ukraine. Zelensky, on the other hand, has characterized it as a “framework agreement” upon which additional deals could be built.
Geopolitical Implications and Russian Interests
Ukraine is estimated to hold around 5% of the world’s critical raw materials. However, accessing these resources poses challenges, as some deposits are currently under Russian control. Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stated that resources worth approximately $350 billion remain in Russian-occupied territories.
Furthermore, Ukraine faces a significant issue with unexploded landmines, which could complicate mineral extraction efforts. A quarter of Ukraine’s landmass is estimated to be contaminated with landmines, particularly in the eastern regions heavily affected by the war.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that he is open to offering the U.S. access to rare minerals, including those in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
UK Involvement in Ukraine Discussions
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is also set to meet separately with Trump and Zelensky this week to discuss the ongoing war. Starmer is expected to arrive in Washington later on Wednesday, further underscoring the global significance of these negotiations.
As tensions and geopolitical maneuvering continue, the outcome of the U.S.-Ukraine mineral deal and its broader implications remain closely watched by international observers.