Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday in Washington to finalize a preliminary agreement on sharing Ukraine’s mineral resources. The deal, which has been backed by the Ukrainian government, is expected to play a key role in the country's economic recovery.
While Zelensky has emphasized the need for further agreements, including U.S. security guarantees against Russian aggression, Trump has downplayed the possibility of extensive American commitments. The U.S. president instead suggested that the presence of American workers extracting rare earth metals in Ukraine would provide “automatic security” for the country.
Trump also dismissed Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, telling Kyiv to “forget about” joining the alliance—aligning with Russia’s long-standing opposition to Ukraine’s membership bid. In contrast, Zelensky insisted that without security guarantees, a ceasefire with Russia would be unattainable.
The proposed minerals deal includes an investment fund for Ukraine’s reconstruction, though key details remain undisclosed. Trump has promoted the agreement as a way for the U.S. to “get its money back” after funding aid to Ukraine, while Zelensky describes it as a "framework agreement" that could lead to further cooperation.
Recent tensions between Trump and Zelensky have surfaced over the substance of the deal, particularly regarding initial U.S. demands for a large share of Ukraine’s mineral wealth. However, reports suggest that a previous U.S. request for $500 billion worth of resources has been dropped.
Meanwhile, Trump has indicated that a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia could be imminent. He revealed that U.S.-Russia talks had taken place in Saudi Arabia without Ukrainian participation, prompting criticism from Zelensky, who accused the U.S. of helping Putin “break out of years of isolation.”
Ukraine’s vast mineral wealth, estimated to contain around 5% of the world’s critical raw materials, remains a key asset in ongoing negotiations. However, significant portions of these resources are currently under Russian control. Additionally, a quarter of Ukraine’s land remains contaminated with unexploded landmines, which could complicate resource extraction.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is also expected to meet separately with both Trump and Zelensky this week to discuss the war and its broader implications.