Faith Nyasuguta
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to visit the White House on Friday to sign a minerals deal with the U.S., according to President Donald Trump. The agreement is designed to help Ukraine pay for military aid as it continues defending itself against Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The deal follows intense negotiations between Washington and Kyiv. Initially, Zelenskyy accused the U.S. of pressuring Ukraine into accepting a $500 billion agreement that would leave “10 generations” of Ukrainians in debt. However, after days of talks, a more balanced deal has reportedly been reached.
Trump confirmed the visit, saying, “I hear that he’s coming on Friday. Certainly, it’s OK with me if he’d like to. And he would like to sign it together with me. I understand that’s a big deal, a very big deal.”
According to reports, the revised deal does not include the original U.S. demand for full control over Ukraine’s mineral revenues, including rare earth metals, oil, and gas. Instead, the agreement involves joint ownership of a fund to develop Ukraine’s natural resources, with conditions on how the funds can be used.
While the new deal is seen as more favorable to Ukraine, it does not guarantee the long-term security assurances that Kyiv had hoped to secure.
When asked what Ukraine would gain from the agreement, Trump stated, “$350 billion, military equipment, and the right to fight on.” He also mentioned that discussions on Ukraine’s general security would happen later, suggesting that other countries may play a role. Trump added, “I spoke with Russia about it. They didn’t seem to have a problem with it. So I think they understand they’re not going back.”
The initial U.S. proposal, which granted full financial control to the U.S. over Ukraine’s mineral extraction revenues, had sparked backlash in Ukraine and among European allies. Zelensky firmly rejected it, stating, “I am not signing something that 10 generations of Ukrainians will have to repay.”
The debate also escalated tensions between the two leaders, with Trump calling Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections,” echoing a common Kremlin narrative.
Ukraine holds vast reserves of key minerals, including resources essential for battery production, titanium for aerospace, and rare earth metals used in technology, renewable energy, and military equipment. These resources make the country a strategic partner for global supply chains.
Earlier this week, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna confirmed that negotiations were nearly complete. “Ukrainian and U.S. teams are in the final stages of negotiations regarding the minerals agreement. The negotiations have been very constructive, with nearly all key details finalized. We are committed to completing this swiftly and hope both leaders will sign it in Washington soon.”
As Ukraine and the U.S. finalize their agreement, Russian President Vladimir Putin has also proposed a minerals deal for Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. He claimed that Russia possesses far greater resources than Ukraine and expressed interest in developing them further.
Putin recently appointed Kirill Dmitriev as his special envoy for international economic and investment cooperation. Dmitriev is seen as a key figure in Russia’s efforts to improve relations with the Trump administration. According to Russian state media, he has already begun discussions on joint economic projects between the two countries.
With Ukraine’s economy heavily reliant on international support, the minerals deal with the U.S. could provide crucial funding for its ongoing war effort. However, the agreement’s long-term impact on Ukraine’s sovereignty and economic independence remains to be seen.
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