Trump says he’ll reveal future of Ukraine rare-earth minerals deal in address to Congress

President Donald Trump made headlines when he announced that he would be addressing Congress to reveal the future of a rare-earth minerals deal with Ukraine. This announcement came after peace negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hit a roadblock following a chaotic White House visit.

Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington was intended to move forward with negotiations to end the war in Ukraine and finalize a minerals agreement that would grant the U.S. access to Ukraine’s resources in exchange for American support. However, tensions escalated during a meeting between Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Zelenskyy, leading to Zelenskyy being asked to leave the White House until he was ready to come back for peace talks.

In a press briefing on Monday, Trump hinted that the status of the rare-earth minerals deal would be disclosed during his speech to Congress the following day. He emphasized the importance of the deal for both countries and expressed optimism about the future of the relationship between the U.S. and Ukraine.

Zelenskyy, on the other hand, reaffirmed his commitment to the deal during a press conference in London, stating that he believes in the resilience of the relationship between Ukraine and the U.S.

Trump also voiced his desire for Zelenskyy to show more gratitude for the support provided by the U.S. during the conflict in Ukraine. He emphasized the significant financial assistance that the U.S. has extended to Ukraine and suggested that a lack of appreciation from Zelenskyy was hindering progress in the peace negotiations.

The minerals agreement was hailed by Trump as a breakthrough deal that would benefit both countries and lay the groundwork for a more sustainable partnership. He highlighted the importance of gaining access to Ukraine’s resources such as oil and gas for the U.S. economy.

Furthermore, Trump pledged to reimburse taxpayers for the financial contributions made to support Ukraine after Russia’s invasion in 2022. The Council on Foreign Relations reported that Congress has allocated $175 billion in aid to Ukraine since 2022, with the U.S. contributing a significant portion of that amount.

Despite the tensions during the White House meeting, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the U.S. for its support in a social media post following his departure. He emphasized the importance of achieving a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and reiterated his commitment to working towards that goal.

In conclusion, the future of the rare-earth minerals deal with Ukraine remains uncertain, but both Trump and Zelenskyy have expressed their dedication to finding a resolution that benefits both countries. The upcoming address to Congress is expected to shed light on the status of the deal and provide further insight into the evolving relationship between the U.S. and Ukraine.