The conflict in Ukraine is expected to end soon under the leadership of US President Donald Trump, according to US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz. Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Waltz stated, "So under Trump, this war will end, and it will end soon, and he is the president of peace."

The United States is intensifying efforts to secure a critical minerals agreement with Ukraine, aiming to obtain substantial access to Ukraine's rare earth resources. This move is seen as part of a broader strategy to conclude the ongoing conflict with Russia and reassert US economic interests in the region. Waltz noted that a minerals deal with Ukraine is pivotal to achieving this goal, reinforcing the urgency of the situation during his speech at CPAC.

However, the proposed agreement has faced resistance from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who rejected an initial US offer that demanded 50% ownership of Ukraine's rare earth mineral deposits in exchange for investment and security assurances. Zelensky on Wednesday criticized the proposal, stating, "I can't sell our country."

In response, Waltz expressed frustration, labeling Zelensky's remarks as "unacceptable" and urging him to reconsider. Waltz stressed that the agreement includes significant security guarantees for Ukraine, which he argued are crucial for the country's stability amidst ongoing conflict.

🇺🇸🇺🇦 US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz says President Zelenskyy "will sign" the minerals deal on the stage at CPAC

"Zelensky is the one who suggested a mineral deal as part of his Victory Plan last September...Here's the bottom line. Zelensky is going to sign that deal" pic.twitter.com/YDnegtzvQF

— HOT SPOT (@HotSpotHotSpot) February 21, 2025

The situation is further complicated by recent US-Russia peace talks held in Saudi Arabia, from which Ukraine was notably excluded. This exclusion has heightened tensions, leading President Trump to criticize Zelensky and suggest that Ukraine should have made territorial concessions to prevent the conflict. Trump's criticisms escalated as he described Zelensky as a "dictator without elections," cautioning that Ukraine risks losing everything unless swift moves toward a peace agreement with Russia are made.

Read more: Trump to Ukraine: Pay $500 Billion or else

These developments are unfolding against the backdrop of escalating diplomatic pressure. During the first round of US-Russia negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict, Russia demanded the withdrawal of NATO forces from Eastern Europe. Although the US delegation initially rejected this demand, concerns are growing in European capitals over the possibility of Trump conceding to Russian terms to secure a peace deal.

Romanian presidential chief of staff and national security adviser Cristian Diaconescu warned, "There are no guarantees that Washington will not ultimately make this concession," highlighting the fluidity of the situation. This uncertainty has prompted European leaders to emphasize their involvement in any security arrangements affecting the region.

As diplomatic maneuvering continues, the Kremlin acknowledged the resumption of dialogue between Russia and the US but cautioned against interpreting this as a sign of improved relations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, "The dialogue between Russia and the United States is one thing, but the beginning of cooperation in the field of technology development is another matter. So it has not come to that yet."