Zelensky to visit Washington for meeting with Trump and minerals deal signing

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Friday, where they are expected to sign an agreement concerning Ukraine’s mineral resources, as confirmed by Trump.

Zelensky has described the upcoming deal as a preliminary arrangement and stressed that it is just the beginning of a broader set of agreements he hopes to secure, including vital security guarantees from the US to protect Ukraine against further Russian aggression. However, Trump has made it clear that the United States will not provide extensive security guarantees to Ukraine. Instead, he placed the responsibility on European nations, stating that it is up to Europe to take the lead on ensuring Ukraine’s security.

In addition to the security guarantees, Trump seemed to rule out the possibility of Ukraine becoming a member of NATO—an aspiration Zelensky has long held. Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Trump suggested that the involvement of American workers in the extraction of rare earth minerals in Ukraine would, in itself, provide a form of “automatic security” for the country. Trump went further to say that Ukraine should abandon its NATO ambitions altogether and echoed Russian claims, arguing that NATO’s expansion was a key factor that led to the current conflict with Russia.

Trump also indicated that a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia could be imminent. “We’re going to make a deal with Russia and Ukraine to stop killing people,” he said to reporters. Despite this, Zelensky rejected the idea of a ceasefire without strong security guarantees, stating that such an agreement would be ineffective without them. He reiterated that Ukraine needs not only security guarantees but also a clear path to NATO or an equivalent arrangement to ensure long-term stability.

Russia has consistently opposed the idea of Ukraine joining NATO, fearing that it would bring NATO forces too close to its borders, thus increasing tension in the region. In 2008, NATO had expressed support for the idea of Ukraine joining the alliance at some point, but that prospect remains highly contentious, especially with the current conflict in Eastern Europe.

Trump’s comments about a ceasefire involved the suggestion that European peacekeeping forces might be deployed in Ukraine as part of the deal. However, Russia strongly opposes this idea. European leaders, including Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, have argued that any peace agreement related to Ukraine’s future must have European consensus. She remarked that while Ukraine is free to negotiate its mineral resources deal, a broader peace agreement would require European backing in order to be sustainable.

The mineral resources deal, which was formally endorsed by the Ukrainian government on Wednesday, remains under negotiation, with few details publicly available at this stage. However, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal revealed that the deal could involve the creation of an “investment fund” aimed at supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction following the war. Zelensky initially proposed the idea last year, hoping that it would give the US a tangible incentive to continue supporting Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict.

In recent weeks, tensions have surfaced between Zelensky and Trump over the specifics of the deal. Initially, the US had requested $500 billion worth of mineral resources from Ukraine, a demand that Zelensky rejected. However, reports suggest that this figure is no longer on the table, and the terms of the agreement may be adjusted accordingly. While Trump has described the deal as a “very big agreement” that provides the US with an opportunity to “get its money back” for the financial support it has extended to Ukraine, Zelensky has been more cautious in his characterization. He referred to the deal as a “framework agreement” that he hopes will lead to further negotiations and agreements.

This evolving situation reflects the complexities of the US-Ukraine relationship and the broader geopolitical stakes at play. As Ukraine seeks to secure its future amid the ongoing Russian threat, the outcome of the upcoming meeting between Zelensky and Trump could have significant implications for both countries and the region as a whole. The dynamics of security, NATO membership, and economic cooperation continue to shape the discussions, and the success of any agreement will depend on how these complex issues are addressed in the coming days.