Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy meet at Trump Tower in New York City, U.S., September 27, 2024. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo
U.S. and Ukraine Plan to Sign Minerals Deal Following Contentious Meeting
Background and Context
On Tuesday, four individuals familiar with the situation reported that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and the Ukrainian government are preparing to sign a highly debated minerals agreement. This development follows a tense Oval Office meeting on Friday between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, which concluded with President Zelenskiy departing the White House abruptly.
According to three sources, President Trump has informed his advisers of his intention to announce the agreement during his address to Congress on Tuesday evening. However, they cautioned that the deal has not yet been finalized and remains subject to change. The White House, the Ukrainian presidential administration in Kyiv, and the Ukrainian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Contentious Oval Office Meeting
The agreement was initially delayed following a heated discussion between President Trump and President Zelenskiy during their meeting on Friday. President Zelenskiy had traveled to Washington specifically to sign the deal. During the meeting, President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance reportedly criticized President Zelenskiy, emphasizing that Ukraine should express gratitude for U.S. support rather than request additional aid in the presence of U.S. media.
President Trump was quoted as saying, “You’re gambling with World War III,” underscoring the intensity of the exchange.
Efforts to Salvage the Agreement
In the days following the meeting, U.S. officials have reportedly engaged with their counterparts in Kyiv to move forward with the minerals deal despite the tensions. According to one source familiar with the matter, U.S. officials urged President Zelenskiy’s advisers to persuade the Ukrainian leader to issue a public apology to President Trump.
On Tuesday, President Zelenskiy posted on social media platform X, stating that Ukraine remains prepared to sign the agreement. He described the Oval Office meeting as “regrettable” and expressed a desire to return to negotiations to advance lasting peace.
Details of the Proposed Agreement
The specifics of the deal remain unclear, particularly whether any modifications have been made since last week. The initial agreement, which was slated for signing on Friday, did not include explicit security guarantees for Ukraine. However, it granted the United States access to revenues generated from Ukraine’s natural resources. Additionally, the agreement proposed that the Ukrainian government allocate 50% of future monetization proceeds from state-owned natural resources to a U.S.-Ukraine managed reconstruction investment fund.
President Trump’s Remarks
On Monday, President Trump indicated that his administration remains open to finalizing the deal. Speaking to reporters, he emphasized that Ukraine “should be more appreciative” of U.S. support.
“This country has stuck with them through thick and thin,” President Trump stated. “We’ve given them much more than Europe, and Europe should have given more than us.”
COMMENTS