VOLODYMYR Zelensky has confirmed he will meet Donald Trump in Washington to sign a historic minerals deal with the US.
The deal – said to be worth up to $500billion – is seen as a way for Ukraine to get the US back on its side ahead of talks on ending the war with Russia.
GettyUkrainian soldiers fire a 2s5 self-propelled 152mm howitzer towards Russian positions[/caption]
APA Russian tank rolls through Ukraine[/caption]
ReutersZelensky said the US deal could be a ‘big success’ for Ukraine[/caption]
AFPKyiv hopes the deal will improve relations with Donald Trump[/caption]
The crucial meeting between the two leaders will mark their first face-to-face chat since Trump labelled Zelensky a “dictator”.
Zelensky today said that the proposed deal was a starting point for a wider agreement, as Kyiv hopes for eventual security guarantees from Washington.
He said: “This is just a start, a framework, it can be a big success. I would like to have this visit very much.
“The success will depend on our conversation with President Trump.”
Trump told reporters in the Oval Office: “I hear that he’s coming on Friday, certainly it’s okay with me if he’d like to.”
Kyiv hopes the deal will improve relations with the Trump administration, bolster long-term security ties and draw the Ukraine war closer to an end.
The agreement, which centres on the joint development of Ukraine’s vast mineral resources — including oil and gas — comes after Washington dropped its demand for a $500 billion share of potential revenues.
Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Olha Stefanishyna told the Financial Times: “The minerals agreement is only part of the picture.
“We have heard multiple times from the US administration that it’s part of a bigger picture.”
Three senior Kyiv officials added officials are still “working on the details”.
The original terms, which President Trump framed as a way for Ukraine to repay the US for military and financial aid since Russia’s 2022 invasion, were met with fierce backlash.
The final version of any deal, dated February 24 and seen by the FT, will establish a fund into which Ukraine will contribute 50 per cent of proceeds from future monetisation of state-owned mineral resources.
However, it excludes existing revenue streams from key producers like Naftogaz and Ukrnafta.
Crucially, it leaves unresolved details on the US stake in the fund and terms of joint ownership, which will be determined in future negotiations.
Ukraine has long relied on the US as its primary military aid donor to help it stand up to Putin during his illegal invasion.
Since taking office in January however, Trump has dramatically shifted Washington’s approach and has held direct talks with Russia without involving Ukraine or European allies.
Officials said the agreement has already been approved by Ukraine’s justice, economy, and foreign ministries.
“This will be a chance for the president to discuss what the bigger picture is. And then after it, we will be able to think of the next steps,” a Ukrainian official told the FT.
Trump and Zelensky’s upcoming meeting will have the eyes of the world watching with the two leaders sharing a turbulent relationship for years.
Trump and Zelensky’s upcoming meeting will have the eyes of the world watching them
AFPDonald Trump has warned sending troops to Ukraine could spark World War Three[/caption]
EPAUS, Russian and Saudi representatives meet for peace talks in Saudi Arabia[/caption]
Putin seems to be keen on agreeing to a US-brokered ceasefire deal
ON THE WRONG FOOT
Just days ago, the US President warned “modestly successful comedian” Zelensky must “move fast or he is not going to have a country left”.
He also branded the leader a “dictator” last week, for not holding an election during the war.
During peace talks between the US and Russia held last week, both parties agreed that elections should be held in Ukraine before a final peace deal is achieved.
The proposal has sparked speculation Zelensky could be ousted and a pro-Russian leadership could be installed in Kyiv.
The brave Ukrainian President vowed to step down “immediately” in exchange for peace or Nato membership.
However, Ukraine voted for Volodymyr Zelensky to remain the country’s President “indefinitely” under martial law defying Donald Trump.
Trump emphasised calls for a fresh election in Ukraine did not come from Russia – but from him.
He said: “We have a situation where we haven’t had elections in Ukraine, where we have martial law, essentially martial law in Ukraine, where the leader in Ukraine, I mean, I hate to say it, but he’s down at 4 per cent approval rating, and where a country has been blown to smithereens.
“If Ukraine wants a seat at the table, wouldn’t the people have to say it has been a long time since they had an election?
“That’s not a Russian thing, that’s something coming from me and coming from many other countries also.”
Trump also said he was “disappointed” Zelensky had complained about being left out of talks.
He suggested Ukraine should have been willing to make concessions to Russia before the 2022 invasion, adding: “Today I heard, ‘Oh, well, we weren’t invited’. Well, you been there for three years.
“You should have ended it three years [ago]. You should have never started it. You could have made a deal.”
