Wed Feb 26 17:45:26 UTC 2025: ## Zelenskyy to Visit White House Friday to Sign Controversial Minerals Deal with Trump

**Washington, D.C. –** Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will travel to Washington D.C. this Friday to finalize a long-negotiated minerals deal with President Donald Trump, the U.S. President announced Wednesday. The agreement would grant the U.S. access to Ukraine’s substantial rare earth mineral deposits in exchange for previous and future aid, effectively offsetting billions of dollars in U.S. support provided during the ongoing war with Russia.

While President Trump hailed the deal as “a very big agreement,” Zelenskyy emphasized that the framework reached so far lacks crucial U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine. He stated that the success of the agreement hinges on his upcoming discussions with President Trump, expressing concern about the future of U.S. military aid and Ukraine’s overall security. Initial U.S. offers, reportedly valued at $500 billion, faced resistance from Ukraine due to insufficient security assurances and concerns about the debt burden on future generations.

The agreement, seen by the Associated Press, acknowledges U.S. support for Ukraine’s pursuit of security guarantees but avoids explicit commitments. A senior White House official confirmed that Zelenskyy’s acceptance of the deal is a precondition for his White House visit.

Adding to the complexity, President Trump has signaled a shift in U.S. foreign policy, abandoning previous efforts to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressing doubts about continued support for European allies. He also definitively stated that Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO are not feasible. Separately, President Trump announced he hopes to meet with President Putin soon to discuss ending the war. Meanwhile, Russian and U.S. diplomats are scheduled to meet in Istanbul on Thursday to discuss embassy operations. The preliminary economic agreement also includes provisions for an investment fund to rebuild Ukraine’s infrastructure, according to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. The future of the deal and its impact on the war in Ukraine remain uncertain.

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