President Donald Trump announced Thursday that a new rare earth minerals deal with Ukraine, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to sign during his visit on Friday, will create a long-lasting partnership between the U.S. and Ukraine. According to Trump, the agreement will allow the U.S. to tap into valuable resources like oil and gas, benefitting both countries while strengthening their ties.
The deal is part of broader negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War. Trump believes that the agreement would give the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rich deposits of rare earth minerals while also allowing for more resources such as oil and gas that the U.S. desperately needs.
In return, the U.S. has already provided significant support to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in 2022. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, the U.S. Congress has appropriated approximately $175 billion for Ukraine’s defense and rebuilding efforts.
Trump praised the deal as a major breakthrough, stating that it would allow the U.S. to reimburse taxpayers for their financial support to Ukraine. Furthermore, the agreement would help Ukraine rebuild its war-torn nation after the devastation caused by the Russian invasion. “This is a deal that will benefit both countries,” Trump said. “It’s not just about minerals; it’s about creating a sustainable future for Ukraine and the U.S. together.”
The former president explained that this partnership would lead to a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship between the U.S. and Ukraine. “We’re going to be signing a very important agreement that will get us into that country,” Trump added. “We’ll have a lot of people working there. So it’s good for both sides.” Trump’s confidence in the deal shows his belief that access to Ukraine’s resources will help secure a stable future for the U.S. while providing Ukraine with much-needed resources to recover from the war.
While discussing the deal, Trump also made it clear that the negotiations to end the war between Russia and Ukraine were moving forward. However, he emphasized that the peace agreement had not yet been finalized. “We are very close to a deal,” Trump said. “But I don’t want to talk about peacekeeping until we have a signed deal. I like to get things done.” The peacekeeping force, which many hope will help stabilize Ukraine once the conflict ends, is still in the works.
Trump also expressed his confidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin would uphold any peace agreement signed between the two countries. “I don’t believe he will violate his word,” Trump said. “When we make a deal, I believe it will hold.” This statement comes after Trump previously criticized Russian aggression, but now seems more optimistic about the possibility of a peaceful resolution.
As Trump and Zelenskyy prepare for their meeting at the White House, tensions remain. Trump has often been critical of Zelenskyy, at one point labeling him a “dictator.” When asked about his earlier remarks, Trump deflected, saying, “Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that. Next question.” This back-and-forth between the two leaders reflects the complexity of their relationship, as both leaders have exchanged barbed comments about each other’s leadership.
Despite their personal differences, Trump and Zelenskyy have both made it clear that their countries need to work together to end the war with Russia. Trump took to social media in February, where he wrote, “A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left. In the meantime, we are successfully negotiating an end to the War with Russia, something all admit only ‘TRUMP,’ and the Trump Administration, can do.”
One of the key points of contention between Russia and Ukraine is the issue of elections. Russia has called for Ukraine to hold elections as part of a peace deal, even though Zelenskyy’s term as president was originally set to end nearly a year ago. However, the Ukrainian constitution prohibits elections from taking place during martial law, which has been in effect since February 2022. Despite this, Zelenskyy has continued to lead Ukraine through the crisis.
Other world leaders have expressed their views on the situation, particularly with regards to the peace talks. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who announced on February 16 that the U.K. would be willing to send troops to Ukraine to help secure peace, confirmed that the U.K. was working closely with the U.S. to ensure the peace negotiations were successful. “We want to make sure that any peace deal lasts and that it’s a historic deal,” Starmer said. “We don’t want a deal that can easily be breached.”
French President Emmanuel Macron echoed similar sentiments during his visit to Washington, D.C. earlier this week. While he expressed support for Trump’s initiative to negotiate peace, he also advised caution when dealing with Russia. “We want peace,” Macron said. “The initiative of President Trump is very positive, but we need something substantial for Ukraine.” Macron stressed the importance of ensuring that any peace deal would have a lasting impact on Ukraine’s future.
Macron also highlighted the significance of Trump’s leadership in the negotiations, suggesting that Trump could be a key factor in the success of the peace talks. “I think the arrival of President Trump is a game-changer,” Macron said. “He has the deterrence capacity to reengage with Russia and ensure that the peace deal is respected.”
While the specifics of the peace deal remain uncertain, it is clear that the negotiations between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia will play a crucial role in shaping Ukraine’s future. The rare earth minerals deal is just one step toward a larger goal of ensuring stability and prosperity for Ukraine while also securing resources that are essential for the U.S.’s future. As the two leaders prepare for their meeting, all eyes will be on the outcome of these important discussions.
Disclaimer: This article has been meticulously fact-checked by our team to ensure accuracy and uphold transparency. We strive to deliver trustworthy and dependable content to our readers.
