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