Trump Administration’s Minerals Deal with Ukraine Collapses Amid Tense Meeting
Plans for a minerals deal between Donald Trump’s administration and Ukraine fell apart following a contentious meeting in the Oval Office last Friday, during which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was swiftly asked to leave. Trump had intended to announce the agreement during his upcoming address to Congress on Tuesday, despite the fact that the deal had not yet been finalized.
During the meeting, tensions escalated as Trump and Vice President JD Vance admonished Zelenskiy, urging him to show gratitude for U.S. support instead of making public requests for additional aid. Trump issued a stark warning, stating, “You’re gambling with World War III.”
Despite the acrimonious exchange, U.S. officials have continued discussions with Kyiv regarding the potential deal and have advised Zelenskiy to publicly apologize. On Tuesday, Zelenskiy took to social media platform X to describe the meeting as “regrettable,” while reiterating Ukraine’s commitment to signing the agreement and pursuing negotiations for peace.
The proposed deal originally provided no security guarantees for Ukraine but would enable the U.S. to access revenues generated from Ukraine’s natural resources. Of those revenues, 50% from future state-owned resource monetization was set to be allocated to a joint U.S.-Ukraine reconstruction investment fund.
On Monday, Trump indicated a willingness to sign the deal but insisted that Ukraine should demonstrate greater appreciation for the support it receives from the U.S. Meanwhile, European nations, including France and Britain, have proposed sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine if a ceasefire is reached, contingent on U.S. support. However, Moscow has voiced its opposition to such a plan.
