President Trump is set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday to sign a preliminary deal to give the US access to Ukraine’s critical raw materials in exchange for possible aid in the future.
This marks President Zelenskyy’s fifth visit to the White House, with the previous four taking place during President Biden’s administration.
It’s the first face-to-face meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump since Trump’s inauguration.
This meeting comes about a week after Trump called Zelenskyy a “dictator” and repeated Kremlin talking points, including suggesting that Ukraine started the war with Russia.
President Trump and President Zelenskyy are expected to sign a mineral resources deal. As Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed, Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers approved the decision to sign the agreement on February 26. The signing will take place at the beginning of the press conference.
If you want to fact-check any story, WhatsApp it now on +91 11 7127 9799 or Click Here
Before his trip to Washington, Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine needs to know first where the United States stands on its continued military support. “It is important for me and all of us in the world that America’s assistance is not stopped,” he said. Zelenskyy added that the mineral agreement may be part of future security guarantees, but he wants to understand the broader vision: What awaits Ukraine?
Zelenskyy’s Previous Visits To The White House:
September 1, 2021
December 21, 2022
September 22, 2023
December 11-12, 2023
Zelenskyy- Trump Meetings In The Past
September 25, 2019: Zelenskyy met Trump at the UN General Assembly in New York, following the controversial “do us a favor” call that led to Trump’s first impeachment.
September 27, 2024: The two met amid tensions over Ukraine’s defense and the US election. Trump told Fox News that they both wanted a “fair deal” to end the conflict.
December 7, 2024: In Paris, Zelenskyy, Trump, and President Macron discussed peace, security guarantees for Ukraine, and preventing future aggression.
February 12, 2025: Following Trump’s call with President Putin, Trump and Zelenskyy spoke by phone about ending Russian aggression.
All About The Rare Earth Mineral Deal:
The United States and Ukraine are set to sign a bilateral agreement to establish a Reconstruction Investment Fund aimed at rebuilding Ukraine and ensuring long-term economic stability. The Fund will be jointly owned and managed. According to reports in Ukrainian and US media, key provisions include:
Funding Sources: Ukraine will contribute 50% of future revenues from government-owned natural resources (oil, gas, minerals, infrastructure), while the US will provide long-term financial support.
Investment Strategy: The Fund will finance reconstruction projects and attract further investments to develop Ukrainian assets, ensuring economic growth and security.
Next Steps: Working groups from the US Treasury and Ukraine’s Finance and Economy Ministries will finalise the Fund Agreement, which will require ratification by Ukraine’s Parliament.
The agreement does not include Trump’s initial demand that Ukraine contribute $500 billion to the Fund or specific US security guarantees.
U.S. Assistance to Ukraine:
According to the Special Inspector General’s report to Congress, as of December 2024, the US Congress had allocated $183 billion for the US response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with $39.58 billion remaining available for obligation. However, not all appropriated funds have been spent or sent to Ukraine, as nearly $50 billion has been used to support US military operations in Europe and enhance NATO readiness.
As of December 2024, US commitments to Ukraine exceed $100 billion, including:
- $63 billion in security assistance
- Over $30 billion in direct budget support
- More than $4 billion in humanitarian aid
$5 billion in development assistance for Ukraine’s energy, agriculture, and other sectors
At the end of 2024, the United States disbursed a $20 billion loan to the World Bank for Ukraine as part of a $50 billion loan package to be repaid with future proceeds from immobilized Russian sovereign assets.
Since February 2022, EU members and institutions and NATO allies (excluding the US) have committed at least $194 billion in assistance to Ukraine, including support for Ukrainian refugees in Europe.
