Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Sunday that Ukraine is prepared to sign a mineral resources agreement with the United States, following a turbulent encounter with President Donald Trump that threatened to derail the deal.
Speaking to UK media in the wake of a pivotal summit in London, Zelensky stated, “The agreement that’s on the table will be signed if the parties are ready.” He emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to constructive diplomacy, adding, “If we agreed to sign the minerals deal, we’re ready to sign it.”
The proposed deal, which had been seen as a step toward Ukraine’s post-war recovery, appeared to falter on Friday during a tense Oval Office meeting with Trump. The two leaders clashed over US involvement in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Trump chastised Zelensky, urging him to show more gratitude for US support and warned that Ukraine could have been overrun by Russia without American assistance. He reportedly told Zelensky, “You’re either going to make a deal, or we’re out. And if we’re out, you’ll fight it out, and I don’t think it’s going to be pretty.”
The minerals deal had been intended to solidify the US’s role in Ukraine’s recovery, with a financial benefit to Washington in exchange for helping broker a truce. Despite Trump’s assurance that the proposal was “very fair,” he refused to offer US military support to back up European troops who might serve as peacekeepers, further complicating negotiations.
The heated exchange resulted in Zelensky leaving the White House without holding the scheduled joint press conference, and the deal remained unsigned. In a statement following the meeting, the White House confirmed the deal had not been finalized.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s allies have shown solidarity with Zelensky. At a summit hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, several European leaders expressed their commitment to increasing defense spending and forming a coalition to support any peace agreement. French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking after the summit, revealed that France and Britain were considering proposing a partial one-month truce with Russia.
The future of the minerals deal remains uncertain, but Ukraine’s readiness to move forward signals a continued desire for resolution amid the ongoing conflict.
