Ukraine’s minerals deal with the United States is only the beginning, and its success hinges on whether President Donald Trump is willing to offer broader security guarantees, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared.
Trump is set to sign a deal on U.S. access to critical raw materials during Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington on Friday. While Trump frames the pact as a way for Ukraine to repay America for its aid since Russia’s 2022 invasion, Kyiv sees it as a stepping stone toward securing long-term security assurances.
Zelenskyy emphasized that the current agreement is a “framework deal” with minimal financial obligations and geological details. The real meat of the partnership, he said, will come in a later treaty requiring parliamentary approval—one that includes provisions for Ukraine’s security.
“This is a beginning. A framework deal. It can have great success, or just pass along. The success will depend on our talk with President Trump, if I understand the broader picture that he sees, if I understand this is all part of broader security guarantees for Ukraine,” Zelenskyy explained.
European allies, including France and Britain, are also pushing Washington to commit to security guarantees. France has even suggested its troops could act as peacekeepers, but only if Trump offers a military “backstop.” However, Trump has been vague on such commitments, suggesting Europe should take the lead on security and that the U.S. would not provide guarantees “beyond very much.”
Ahead of his Washington trip, Zelenskyy said his priority is to clarify whether Trump will continue military aid to Ukraine. “I will understand everything after I talk to Trump. For me, the most important thing is to find out: will the U.S. stop military aid or not? If it stops, will we be able to buy weapons directly from the U.S., maybe using frozen Russian assets?” he asked.
The minerals deal itself focuses on joint future projects rather than repaying past debts. Trump’s initial multibillion-dollar demands have been dropped, and Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine is only discussing future payments, not past ones. “The current version looks not bad. All the principal issues we had with it are gone. The main thing is that we’re no longer debtors. We don’t owe 500billion,or500billion,or300 billion, or even $100 billion,” he said.
The framework proposes a 50/50 investment fund between Ukraine and the U.S. to develop resource projects in Ukraine, with proceeds going toward rebuilding the war-torn country. While it’s only a preliminary agreement, some European nations hope it will nudge Trump toward a stronger commitment to Ukraine’s defense.
Personal Opinion:
On one hand, the minerals deal represents a pragmatic step toward strengthening U.S.-Ukraine ties and rebuilding Ukraine’s economy. On the other hand, without concrete security guarantees, the agreement risks being seen as a half-measure. While Trump’s focus on future projects rather than past debts is a positive shift, his reluctance to commit militarily leaves Ukraine in a precarious position. The real test will be whether this deal can evolve into a broader security framework—or if it remains a symbolic gesture.
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