Trump lays out Ukraine minerals deal ahead of Zelensky meeting

President Trump on Thursday offered more details about the mineral agreement the U.S. is set to sign with Ukraine, arguing it would allow America to recoup aid provided to Kyiv, while boosting Ukraine’s economy.

Trump previewed the agreement during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House, which took place one day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was set to visit Washington to sign the agreement with the U.S.

“We’ll be signing a historic agreement that will make the United States a major partner in developing Ukraine's minerals and rare earths and oil and gases,” Trump said. “And we have a great understanding. I think it’s going to be great for Ukraine.”

Trump repeated his assertion that much of European aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia has been in the form of a loan, while the United States has provided aid that it would not recoup. Both Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron this week have interjected during meetings with Trump to note that much of Europe's assistance for Ukraine was a “gift.”

“The American taxpayers will now effectively be reimbursed for the money, hundreds of billions of dollars, poured into helping Ukraine defend itself. Which, by and of itself, is a very worthy thing to do,” Trump said.

“The minerals agreement will provide the basis for a more sustainable future relationship between the United States and Ukraine, and thus stimulate the long term prosperity that will help the Ukrainians rebuild their country,” Trump added. “It’s been demolished.”

Zelensky’s visit and the finalization of the minerals deal comes as the Trump administration has pushed to end the war in Ukraine. Monday marked three years since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine after amassing troops on the border and demanding a ban on Ukraine ever joining NATO. The invasion took place nearly a decade after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.

Proponents of the minerals deal have suggested the economic partnership would give the U.S. a vested interest in protecting Ukraine against future threats from Russia. Critics have argued it amounts to the Trump administration pressuring Ukraine into a deal as it engages with Russia on peace talks.

Trump has hosted Starmer and Macron of France at the White House this week to discuss what role Europe could play in maintaining any peace deal to end the war in Ukraine.

“We've discussed a plan today to reach a peace that is tough and fair, that Ukraine will help shape, that's backed by strength to stop Putin coming back for more,” Starmer said.

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