Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli aircraft launch series of strikes on area of Jarmaq, South Lebanon.
Reuters: Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to restart peace talks in Istanbul.
Al-Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Blida municipality building two hours after occupying it, and the Lebanese army enters
Pakistani army: 6 soldiers and 7 militants killed in clash near the Afghan border
Israeli media: Sirens sound in the settlement of Kerem Shalom in the Gaza envelope area
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: We still believe in dialogue and prioritize diplomatic solutions with Pakistan; though we are ready for all possibilities.
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: Pakistan purposely obstructed negotiations in Turkey by making unrealistic demands.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip

Trump, Zelensky did not sign minerals deal amid tense meeting

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 28 Feb 2025 23:44
  • 2 Shares
4 Min Read

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump's heated meeting did not see the leaders signing the anticipated minerals deal.

Listen
  • x
  • Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky departs after a meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025 (AP)
    Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky departs after a meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025 (AP)

Talks between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ended without an agreement on a minerals deal, and their scheduled joint press conference was canceled, according to White House officials.

Zelensky left the White House ahead of schedule after what was described as a heated exchange with Trump. The rare earth materials deal, which had been expected to be signed, was also called off, Fox News reported.

A senior US official told Reuters that Trump had not ruled out an agreement but insisted that Ukraine must first be prepared for a "constructive conversation." The official also noted that rescheduling the canceled press conference depended on the Ukrainian side.

Following the meeting, Trump posted on Truth Social, stating that he concluded Zelensky was "not ready for peace if America is involved" because "he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations." Trump added that Zelensky could return for discussions when he is ready for peace.

'Zelensky is not winning'

Trump delivered a stark message to Zelensky during their meeting at the White House on Friday, asserting that Ukraine is "in big trouble" and "not winning" the ongoing conflict with Russia.

"Your country is in big trouble. I know you're not winning. You're not winning this," Trump told Zelensky, signaling his dissatisfaction with Ukraine's current strategic position.

Related News

Trump’s $230 mln DOJ compensation claim criticized as legally baseless

National Guard deployment in Washington DC extended until February

Trump cautioned Zelensky against dictating terms to Washington, emphasizing that the US was seeking a resolution to the conflict. "We're trying to solve a problem. Don't tell us what we're going to feel, because you're in no position to dictate that. You're in no position to dictate what we're going to feel," Trump stated firmly.

The US president also expressed his frustration over what he perceived as a lack of appreciation from Zelensky. "I've empowered you to be a tough guy, and I don't think he'd be a tough guy without the United States... you're not acting at all thankful. And that's not a nice thing," Trump remarked.

He warned Zelensky that if no agreement is reached, "you're either going to make a deal or we're out, and if we're out, you'll fight it out. I don't think it's going to be pretty, but you'll fight it out."

His comments followed Russia's demand for the withdrawal of NATO forces from Eastern Europe, made during the first round of US-Russia negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Trump's stance aligns with his view that NATO expansion contributed to the conflict, reinforcing his opposition to Ukraine's membership.

Ukraine agrees to minerals deal

Kiev has reached an agreement with Washington on a minerals deal, which Ukrainian officials think would improve ties with the Trump administration and open the way for a long-term US security commitment.

Ukrainian authorities said Kiev is now ready to sign an agreement to jointly develop its mineral resources, including oil and gas, after the US abandoned demands for a $500 billion share of potential revenue from resource extraction.

The authorities claimed that they had negotiated significantly more favorable conditions and portrayed the agreement as a means of strengthening relations with the US in order to strengthen Ukraine's prospects following three years of war.

Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister and justice minister who has led the negotiations, told the Financial Times Tuesday that the agreement is "only part of the picture. We have heard multiple times from the US administration that it’s part of a bigger picture."

The initial draft's onerous provisions, billed by Trump as a way for Ukraine to reimburse the US for military and financial help since the war began, sparked uproar in Kiev and other European capitals.

  • United States
  • Ukraine
  • Russia
  • Volodymyr Zelensky
  • Donald Trump
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Hi-tech holocaust: Microsoft’s role in Gaza genocide

Microsoft's role in world’s first AI-driven genocide, in Gaza, exposed

  • Technology
  • 28 Oct 2025
What Marr evidently didn't seem to understand was that Hedges isn't saying that Western journalists manipulate the truth, but that they systematically amplify Israeli narratives they know are false. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Western journalists know they have a case to answer for their betrayal of Gaza, and it frightens them

  • Opinion
  • 24 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Displaced Sudanese who fled El-Fasher after the city fell to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), rest near the town of Tawila in war-torn Sudan's western Darfur region (AP)
Politics

UAE directly funded RSF, leading to fall of El-Fasher: Sudan

'You’re not welcome in Greece': Israelis face port protests
Politics

'You’re not welcome in Greece': Israelis face port protests

This photo released by the Israeli military on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, shows ground operations inside the Gaza Strip (AP)
Politics

IOF soldier who fought in Gaza, Lebanon denied entry to Czech Republic

UN inquiry exposes 'Israel’s' four genocidal crimes against Gaza
Politics

'Israel' committed four genocidal acts in Gaza, UN inquiry finds

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS