Trump Signals Openness to Meeting Zelenskyy Amid Critical Minerals Deal Talks

President Donald Trump confirmed Tuesday that he expects to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, indicating a willingness to finalize a major critical minerals agreement between the two countries.

The deal, which could be worth trillions, involves Ukraine sharing a portion of its mineral revenues with the US. However, negotiations remain stalled over key issues, including security guarantees for Ukraine and whether the agreement would cover past US military aid. Trump criticized former President Joe Biden’s handling of aid to Kyiv, stating that American taxpayers should “get their money back plus.”

Ukraine possesses vast reserves of critical minerals, including lithium, beryllium, uranium, and semiconductor-grade neon gas, which are essential for various industries. US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz defended the proposed investment, arguing that securing Ukraine’s mineral wealth would provide economic and strategic benefits for both nations. Despite rejecting Ukraine’s NATO membership, Waltz maintained that economic investment in Ukraine’s resources would serve as an alternative security guarantee.

Trump also expressed interest in purchasing minerals from Russia, highlighting the country’s untapped rare earth reserves and energy resources. While he suggested that economic cooperation could benefit both sides, he denied any plans to lift sanctions on Moscow amid ongoing efforts to resolve the war in Ukraine. The potential meeting with Zelenskyy underscores the Trump administration’s push to reshape US-Ukraine relations through economic agreements rather than direct military commitments.