Zelensky Visits White House for Signing of U.S.-Ukraine Mineral Deal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to visit the White House this Friday to sign a monumental mineral deal with the United States, President Donald Trump announced on Monday. The agreement, which could be worth up to a trillion dollars, is expected to boost economic ties between the two nations while providing a fresh infusion of investment into Ukraine’s war-torn economy.

“I hear that Zelensky is coming on Friday,” Trump told reporters. “Certainly it’s OK with me if he’d like to.” Ukrainian officials later confirmed the meeting and the signing of the agreement.

Key Aspects of the Deal:

• Revenue Sharing: Ukraine will contribute 50% of proceeds from the "future monetization" of state-owned mineral resources including oil and gas into a fund that will finance investment projects within Ukraine.

• U.S. Concessions: The deal moved forward after the Trump administration dropped its demand for $500 billion in potential mineral revenues as repayment for U.S. assistance provided over the last three years.

• No Immediate Security Guarantees: The agreement does not outline specific U.S. security commitments that Ukraine had sought, nor does it specify the size of the U.S. stake in the fund or terms of joint ownership, leaving critical details for future negotiations.

President Trump underscored the scale of the agreement, stating, “It’s a very big deal. It could be a trillion-dollar deal. We’re spending hundreds of billions of dollars on Ukraine and Russia fighting a war that should have never, ever happened.”

The Financial Times reported that the mineral deal excludes assets currently developed by Ukraine’s largest gas and oil producers, ensuring that existing state revenues remain unaffected. Instead, the focus will be on untapped resources and future projects.

This deal signals a potential shift in U.S.-Ukraine relations under Trump's leadership. Despite his recent criticism of Zelensky, whom he called a “dictator” last week, Trump appears to be maintaining a pragmatic approach. By investing in Ukraine’s resource sector, the U.S. could gain a foothold in European energy markets while reducing dependence on Russian resources.

Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister and lead negotiator, hinted at broader ambitions behind the agreement. “We have heard multiple times from the US administration that it’s part of a bigger picture,” she said, suggesting that this mineral deal might be just one step in a larger geopolitical strategy.

With Zelensky's visit and the signing of this landmark agreement, both nations are poised to strengthen their partnership. As follow-up agreements are negotiated, the world will be watching closely to see how this new alliance shapes the regional power dynamics and economic recovery efforts in Ukraine.

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