Trump Says Zelenskyy To Visit White House On Friday, Will Finalise Minerals Deal Amid US-Ukraine Security Talk

US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the White House on Friday to sign a long-anticipated minerals agreement, which is expected to strengthen ties between the two nations for years to come.

Speaking at the start of the first Cabinet meeting of his second term, Trump described the deal as "a very big agreement."

Photo Credit: AP/PTI

The Republican president has frequently criticised the substantial financial aid provided by the United States to support Ukraine in its war against Russia, which began three years ago when the Kremlin launched its invasion.

Trump has framed the forthcoming agreement, which would grant the U.S. access to Ukraine's rare earth mineral deposits, as a means for Kyiv to repay the assistance it has received under former Democratic President Joe Biden.

"The previous administration put us in a very bad position, but we've been able to make a deal where we're going to get the money back and a lot of money in the future," Trump said.

During a press conference in Kyiv early on Wednesday, Zelenskyy confirmed that a framework for an economic agreement had been established, but noted that it did not yet include the security guarantees that Ukraine deems essential. He indicated that the final deal could hinge on upcoming discussions in Washington.

The framework represents an initial step towards a more comprehensive agreement, which will require ratification by the Ukrainian parliament, Zelenskyy stated.

"May be part of future security guarantees, but I want to understand the broader vision. What awaits Ukraine?" Zelenskyy said, stressing the need for clarity on the U.S. stance regarding continued military assistance. He also expressed hope for a wide-ranging discussion with Trump.

Since returning to office last month, Trump has made it clear that he expects something in return for the tens of billions of dollars in U.S. aid provided to Ukraine. The White House has exerted significant pressure on Kyiv to grant American companies access to Ukraine's vast mineral resources, which are crucial to the aerospace, defence, and nuclear industries.

Zelenskyy initially resisted the U.S. proposals, arguing that they failed to provide adequate security assurances and that the suggested $500 billion price tag would burden Ukraine with long-term debt. However, Kyiv is also keen to use foreign investment as a means of securing continued U.S. involvement in its future.

A recent version of the agreement, obtained by The Associated Press, states that the U.S. "supports Ukraine's efforts to obtain security guarantees needed to establish lasting peace." However, it does not specify any concrete commitments from the U.S. in this regard.

"Participants will seek to identify any necessary steps to protect mutual investments as defined in the ... agreement," the document states.

Following Zelenskyy's remarks, a White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that accepting the agreement was a prerequisite for the Ukrainian leader's invitation to meet Trump on Friday.

"This agreement may either be a great success or quietly fade away," Zelenskyy said. "And I believe success depends on our conversation with President Trump."

"I want to coordinate with the U.S.," he added.

Trump has previously reversed key Washington policies, including efforts to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin and commitments to European allies. His actions have triggered major geopolitical shifts that could influence the course of the war in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Wednesday that diplomats from Russia and the U.S. are set to meet in Istanbul on Thursday to discuss the operation of their respective embassies in Moscow and Washington.

Zelenskyy said he intends to ask Trump whether the U.S. plans to halt military aid and, if so, whether Ukraine would be permitted to purchase weapons directly from the U.S. He also seeks clarification on whether frozen Russian assets can be used for arms purchases and investments, and whether Washington intends to lift sanctions on Russia.

Additionally, the preliminary economic agreement outlines the terms and conditions for an investment fund dedicated to Ukraine's reconstruction, according to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.