A government official noted that the situation remains fluid, but a visit from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday is a possibility “based on the current posture.” On Tuesday in the Oval Office, President Trump himself said of Zelenskyy “I hear he’s coming on Friday” adding “certainly, it’s OK with me if he’d like to. He would like to sign it together with me.”
Reuters reports that the U.S. and Ukraine have in fact agreed on the terms of a draft minerals deal according to two sources familiar with the matter. One source familiar with the contents of the draft agreement said that it does not specify any U.S. security guarantees or continued flow of weapons but says that the United States wants Ukraine to be
free, sovereign and secure” adds the outlet.
Zelenskyy previously rejected an initial U.S. proposal that would have obligated Ukraine to allocate $500 billion in future revenues to the U.S. as compensation for military and humanitarian aid provided during the war. However, as Trump has observed, Ukraine has limited options after three years of hostilities. With additional U.S. financial assistance unlikely and European nations struggling to provide sufficient security assurances, Zelenskyy faces significant challenges.
While discussing the potential agreement—one that Zelenskyy has attempted to modify from its original terms—Trump emphasized that Ukraine should compensate the U.S. for previous aid. Supporters of the minerals deal, including Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), have suggested that U.S. economic involvement in Ukraine’s mineral sector could serve as an implicit security guarantee, as protecting such an investment would align with American interests.
Trump also reiterated that Europe, rather than the U.S., would bear the primary responsibility for supporting Ukraine’s military and deterring potential future aggression from Russia once the current war comes to an end.
