President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the White House on Friday to finalize a long-anticipated minerals agreement that will deepen ties between the two nations for years.
Trump made the announcement at the first Cabinet meeting of his second term, calling the deal “a very big agreement.”
The Republican president has frequently criticized the billions of dollars in U.S. taxpayer money sent to support Ukraine’s war effort against Russia, which began three years ago when Moscow launched its invasion. Trump has positioned the minerals deal—which grants the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth deposits—as a way for Kyiv to repay America for past military aid provided under former 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 more in the future,” Trump stated.
Rare earth minerals are critical resources used in aerospace, defense, and nuclear industries, making the agreement strategically significant for both nations.
At a news conference early Wednesday in Kyiv, Zelenskyy confirmed that a preliminary economic framework had been reached. However, he noted that the deal does not yet include U.S. security guarantees, which Ukraine considers essential.
Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine needs clarity on continued American military support before finalizing any long-term agreement. The full deal will be subject to ratification by the Ukrainian parliament and could depend on upcoming negotiations in Washington.
“The economic agreement may be part of future security guarantees, but I want to understand the broader vision. What awaits Ukraine?” Zelenskyy said.
He added that he expects a wide-ranging discussion with Trump, addressing not only economic cooperation but also Ukraine’s long-term security and defense needs.
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