Donald Trump ‘to announce key deal with Ukraine’ in hours despite clash with Zelensky | World | News
Washington and Kyiv still intend to sign the minerals deal despite the disastrous meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald Trump and JD Vance at the White House last Friday, it has been claimed. The Ukrainian President travelled to Washington last week to sign a deal that would guarantee his war-torn country continued support from the US as the Russian invasion rages on.
But the event descended into chaos as the three men clashed in the Oval Office, with the wartime leader being accused of not being thankful enough for the support received and risking World War 3. On Tuesday, however, four sources claimed to Reuters that the Trump and Zelensky teams are still planning to sign the deal. Three of these sources have alleged Mr Trump wants to announce the deal in his key address to Congress, taking place in the early hours of Wednesday.
Following the meeting, which saw a scheduled press conference cancelled and Zelensky abruptly ejected from the White House, the Ukrainians have continued to state their willingness to sign a deal.
Posting on X on Tuesday afternoon, Zelensky reiterated: “Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it in any time and in any convenient format.”
The original deal, which was due to be signed last Friday, would have seen the United States take 50% of Ukraine’s rare earth minerals valued at around $500bn.
Zelensky added: “We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence. And we remember the moment when things changed when President Trump provided Ukraine with Javelins. We are grateful for this.
“Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be. It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.”
It is unclear whether any deal will be on the same terms as the original, or whether the argument in front of the world’s media will change the details of any agreement.
On Monday, the White House confirmed that the US would be pausing aid to Ukraine, further upping the ante in any negotiations between Washington and Kyiv.
Speaking to reporters, Trump signalled a willingness to sealing a deal, if the Ukrainians become “more appreciative”.
He told reporters: “This country has stuck with them through thick and thin, we’ve given them much more than Europe, and Europe should have given more than us.”
