Trump had initially demanded $500 billion worth of Ukrainian minerals – an incredibly large figure, considering since the start of the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, and the end of 2024, the US gave £54.6 billion in military aid to Ukraine.
(Photo by Tetiana DZHAFAROVA / AFP) (Photo by TETIANA DZHAFAROVA/AFP via Getty Images)] Ukrainian officials have now said a deal which could see up to 50% of Ukraine’s rare minerals – a large part of the nation’s wealth – could be signed when Zelensky visits Washington DC.
Zelensky said that the main topics that he wants to discuss with Trump are whether the US plans to halt military aid and, if so, whether Ukraine would be able to purchase weapons directly from America.
US President Donald Trump has been pushing for the minerals deal since taking office and beginning negotiations to end the war, sparked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine three years ago.
Kyiv and Washington have agreed a deal to give the United States access to Ukrainian mineral resources, following a spat between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky.
