LONDON/WASHINGTON, Feb 25 (Naija247news) – The United States and Ukraine have reached an agreement on the terms of a draft minerals deal, a key component of Kyiv’s efforts to maintain Washington’s support as President Donald Trump pushes for a swift resolution to the war with Russia.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Trump, speaking to reporters, revealed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy intends to visit Washington on Friday to sign what he described as a “very big deal.” This follows a recent exchange of hostile remarks between the two leaders.
As part of his push for a negotiated settlement, Trump has floated the idea of deploying peacekeeping forces to Ukraine if an agreement is reached. However, Moscow, which initiated the invasion three years ago, has firmly opposed any deployment of NATO troops.
Uncertainty Over U.S. Security Guarantees
While Trump has portrayed the minerals deal as a form of repayment for the billions of dollars in U.S. aid provided to Ukraine, it remains unclear whether the agreement includes any concrete security guarantees for Kyiv or commitments for additional military support.
One source familiar with the matter stated that discussions on future arms shipments between Washington and Kyiv are ongoing.
Last week, Trump falsely labeled Zelenskiy as an unpopular “dictator” and urged him to quickly negotiate peace or risk losing his country. In response, the Ukrainian president accused Trump of being trapped in a “disinformation bubble.”
Despite these tensions, officials from both nations have approved the draft agreement and recommended that it be signed, sources confirmed. The deal is expected to grant the U.S. access to Ukraine’s significant mineral resources.
Trump Pushes Economic Gains for the U.S.
“We want to be secured,” Trump said, emphasizing that the American taxpayer would benefit from the agreement. “Now we’re saying, look, we want our money back, plus.”
Earlier drafts of the deal had stalled due to Ukraine’s concerns over the extent of U.S. claims. Kyiv had rejected Washington’s initial proposal, which sought rights to $500 billion worth of Ukrainian mineral wealth. Ukrainian officials argued that their country had received far less than that in U.S. aid and insisted on security guarantees in return.
When asked what Ukraine would receive in exchange for the minerals deal, Trump cited what he claimed was $350 billion in U.S. aid, along with “lots of military equipment and the right to fight on.” He suggested that military aid could continue “for a while” but reiterated his belief that the war could end quickly, without detailing how.
European Allies Left Scrambling
Trump’s direct engagement with Russia over ending the war, while sidelining both Ukraine and European allies, has triggered concerns across the continent. European leaders were caught off guard by Washington’s move to negotiate a settlement with Moscow, as well as by Trump’s assertion that the U.S. is no longer prioritizing European security.
A White House meeting could provide Zelenskiy with a crucial opportunity to advocate for continued U.S. support, particularly after Trump falsely accused Ukraine of instigating the war.
Ukraine’s Mineral Wealth at Stake
Ukraine possesses 22 of the 34 minerals classified as critical by the European Union, including industrial materials, ferroalloys, precious metals, and rare earth elements. Among these, the country’s graphite reserves, essential for electric vehicle batteries and nuclear reactors, account for 20% of global resources.
With the draft deal now awaiting formal approval, the negotiations underscore the high stakes involved—not just for Ukraine’s economic future, but for the broader geopolitical balance between Washington, Moscow, and Europe.
