President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the White House on Friday, where he engaged in discussions about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and signed a minerals agreement with the United States. The agreement will grant the U.S. access to Ukraine’s minerals in exchange for the support the country has received since Russia’s invasion in 2022.

During a press conference at the Oval Office, Zelenskyy was asked whether he believed President Donald Trump supported Ukraine. While he did not directly address Trump’s stance, he emphasized the importance of the U.S. standing with Ukraine and the need to halt aggression from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The issue of financial assistance to Ukraine was also brought up, with conflicting reports on the exact numbers. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, Congress has allocated $175 billion in aid to Ukraine since 2022. In comparison, the Kiel Institute estimates that European assistance to Ukraine totaled approximately $138.7 billion between January 2022 and December 2024, with the U.S. contributing $119.7 billion during the same period.

Tensions between Zelenskyy and Trump have escalated in recent weeks, particularly after U.S. officials met with Russian counterparts in Saudi Arabia without involving Ukraine. Zelenskyy expressed his displeasure with being excluded from the negotiations, stating that decisions should not be made behind Ukraine’s back.

In a separate meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump hinted at progress in the peace negotiation process but refrained from divulging specific details until a deal was finalized. He expressed optimism about reaching a deal but emphasized the need for caution in discussing peacekeeping efforts until an agreement was reached.

When questioned about his previous comments regarding Russia’s commitment to a peace agreement, Trump remained confident that Putin would uphold his end of the deal. He expressed faith in the negotiations and reiterated his belief that Putin would not renege on any agreements made.

Overall, Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House underscored the ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine and highlighted the importance of international support in achieving peace in the region. The discussions between key stakeholders, including the U.S. and European allies, serve as a crucial step towards finding a sustainable solution to the crisis.