Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently met with US President Donald Trump at the White House. The primary agenda of this meeting was to discuss a potential peace agreement with Russia and an economic deal related to Ukraine’s mineral resources.
Discussions on a Peace Agreement
President Trump suggested that Ukraine might need to make certain “compromises” to establish peace with Russia. He stated, “You can’t make a deal without compromises. So, of course, they will have to make some, but hopefully, they won’t be as big as some think.”
Zelenskyy, however, firmly rejected the idea of negotiating with Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him a “murderer in our territory.” He presented images of war atrocities, highlighting how “insane Russians” forcibly transferred Ukrainian children and committed war crimes.
Despite this, Zelenskyy remained optimistic about Trump’s support, stating, “I believe President Trump is on our side.”
Minerals Resource Deal
During the meeting, both leaders discussed a deal regarding rare earth elements, which are abundant in Ukraine but scarce in the US. These minerals are crucial for the development of artificial intelligence and military technology.
President Trump described this deal as “a major commitment from America.” However, Zelenskyy reportedly declined a US proposal that would have given America a 50% share of Ukraine’s mineral wealth, arguing that it did not align with Ukraine’s national interests.
Security Guarantees
Zelenskyy’s primary objective was to secure strong security commitments from the US to protect Ukraine from potential future Russian aggression. However, President Trump criticized Zelenskyy’s insistence on US security commitments, calling it “disrespectful and risky.”
Meanwhile, European leaders have proposed a peacekeeping mission, contingent on an agreement between Russia and Ukraine.
As a result of this meeting, further discussions between Ukraine and the US will continue to strengthen economic cooperation and address Ukraine’s security concerns.
