WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Friday to finalize a deal granting American access to Ukraine’s mineral resources.
The agreement, described as “preliminary” by Zelensky, is seen as a strategic move to secure continued U.S. backing for Ukraine as it fights off Russian aggression.
However, the deal has exposed deep divisions between the two leaders, particularly over Ukraine’s security.
While Zelensky is pushing for U.S. security guarantees and a pathway to NATO membership, Trump has dismissed the idea outright.
“We’re not providing guarantees beyond… very much,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, arguing that Europe should shoulder the responsibility instead.
He also repeated Russian claims that Ukraine’s NATO ambitions contributed to the war, telling Kyiv to “forget about” the alliance.
Trump insists that American investment in Ukraine’s rare earth metals—critical for industries such as defense and technology—would serve as “automatic security” by keeping U.S. interests embedded in the country.
But Zelensky remains unconvinced, warning that without firm security commitments, “we won’t have a ceasefire, nothing will work, nothing.”
A Ceasefire Without Ukraine?
Trump, who has been working to reestablish ties with Moscow, suggested a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia was on the horizon.
“We’re going to make a deal with Russia and Ukraine to stop killing people,” he said, though no details were provided.
But concerns are growing in Kyiv that Trump may be negotiating behind Ukraine’s back.
After a call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, their delegations held talks in Saudi Arabia—without Ukrainian participation. European representatives were also absent.
The exclusion of key stakeholders has raised alarms. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas told the BBC that “for any kind of deal to work on European soil, you need the Europeans to also agree to it.”
Meanwhile, a planned meeting between Kallas and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was abruptly canceled, with both sides citing scheduling conflicts.
The Mineral Deal: A Bargaining Chip?
The details of the U.S.-Ukraine mineral deal remain unclear, but Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said it includes an “investment fund” to help rebuild Ukraine’s war-torn economy.
Initially, negotiations were tense. Zelensky reportedly rejected an early U.S. demand for $500 billion worth of mineral wealth, but that figure has since been dropped.
Trump has touted the agreement as a way for the U.S. to get its “money back” after sending billions in aid to Ukraine.
For Ukraine, the deal is a calculated risk. Kyiv estimates that about 5% of the world’s critical raw materials are in Ukraine, but much of it is in Russian-occupied territories.
Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko has said resources worth $350 billion remain under Russian control.
Complicating matters further, Ukraine’s vast mineral-rich lands are littered with unexploded mines from the war.
Experts warn that clearing these areas will be essential before any large-scale extraction can begin.
Adding another twist, Putin has hinted that Russia is open to offering the U.S. access to rare minerals, including those in Russian-occupied Ukraine—potentially undermining Kyiv’s leverage in negotiations.
Diplomatic Crossroads
As Trump seeks a swift resolution to the war, Zelensky is racing to secure international backing.
U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is also scheduled to meet both leaders in Washington this week to discuss the conflict.
Zelensky, who has accused Trump of operating in a “Russian disinformation space,” faces an uphill battle.
His push for long-term U.S. security guarantees remains uncertain, and with European leaders sidelined from key negotiations, Ukraine’s future may be shaped by forces beyond its control.
