Zelensky Set To Visit Washington As US And Ukraine Reach Resource And Reconstruction Deal

 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to travel to Washington, D.C., in the coming days following an agreement between the United States and Ukraine on a deal involving natural resources and reconstruction efforts, according to a Ukrainian official.

Negotiations have been ongoing for days, with discussions centered around granting the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals as part of broader talks on ending Russia’s invasion. Additionally, the agreement includes American involvement in a reconstruction fund for Ukraine.

The Ukrainian official stated that the terms were finalized after removing any provisions deemed unacceptable. "The text now clearly outlines how this agreement will contribute to Ukraine’s security and peace," the official added.

While the full details of the deal remain undisclosed, one of the key sticking points had been a prior demand from the Trump administration for a $500 billion share of Ukraine’s rare earth and other mineral resources in exchange for past US aid—an offer that Zelensky had previously rejected.

The US has yet to officially confirm whether the agreement has been finalized.

Speaking from the Oval Office on Tuesday, President Donald Trump suggested the deal was close to completion. "I hear that Zelensky is coming on Friday. It’s OK with me if he’d like to, and he would like to sign it together with me. And I understand that’s a big deal, very big deal," Trump said.

When asked what Ukraine would receive in exchange for its mineral resources, Trump responded: "$350 billion and lots of military equipment, and the right to fight on."

Trump added that negotiations over Ukraine’s security would continue in future discussions. "I spoke with Russia about it. They didn’t seem to have a problem with it. So I think they understand … once we do this, they’re not going back in."

Security Guarantees Remain a Key Issue

Ukraine has consistently pushed for security guarantees, aiming not only to reclaim lost territory but also to ensure protection against potential future Russian aggression.

European leaders have emphasized that security assurances for Ukraine must be a prerequisite for any peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. Following his meeting with Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron proposed strengthening Ukraine’s military capabilities and, if requested, deploying British and French troops to help maintain peace.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is scheduled to visit the White House on Thursday, has called for a US "backstop" in any Ukraine peace deal. Such an arrangement could include American intelligence sharing, air support, and military transport assistance.

The agreement on natural resources and reconstruction comes after American negotiators initially resisted including security guarantees in the draft deal. The specific wording of Ukraine’s security provisions in the latest version remains unclear.

A Ukrainian official previously indicated that Zelensky had rejected an earlier draft because it lacked American commitments while placing significant obligations on Ukraine. However, recent signs suggest both sides have moved closer to a compromise.

During a White House visit on Monday, Macron praised Trump’s decision to collaborate with Zelensky and finalize an agreement on rare earth and critical minerals, calling it "important for both the US and Ukraine."

With Zelensky’s upcoming visit to Washington, discussions on the remaining details of the deal—and Ukraine’s security—are expected to take center stage.