President Trump is set to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House to finalize an agreement for rare mineral rights, amidst ongoing efforts to negotiate an end to Russia’s war on Ukraine. Despite previous controversial comments labeling Zelensky a dictator, Trump aimed to smooth tensions ahead of their meeting. While Trump has praised Russian President Putin, he expressed optimism about achieving peace in Ukraine despite the lack of clear negotiations. The proposed mineral deal would allow the U.S. to take half of Ukraine’s revenues from natural resources, which Trump claims will benefit both nations economically.
President Trump is set to welcome President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine to the White House on Friday to finalize a deal transferring rare mineral rights to the United States, even as the new American administration looks to broker a separate agreement aimed at ending Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.
While Mr. Trump has engaged with several global leaders in the month since he resumed office, the upcoming meeting with Mr. Zelensky is particularly significant. Just last week, Mr. Trump made false claims about Ukraine being the instigator of the war with Russia and referred to Mr. Zelensky as a “dictator without elections.”
In reality, Russia initiated the conflict in 2014 and launched a full-scale invasion in 2022. Although Ukrainian elections have been on hold for the last three years due to martial law, Mr. Zelensky was elected president in 2019 with a substantial victory. In contrast, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia is a true dictator, with elections widely regarded as fraudulent and currently facing an international arrest warrant for war crimes.
To alleviate tensions before their White House meeting, Mr. Trump on Thursday dismissed a question regarding whether he still views Mr. Zelensky as a dictator.
“Did I say that?” Mr. Trump questioned. “I can’t believe I said that. Next question.”
During a subsequent press conference with Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain, Mr. Trump did not address whether he owed an apology to Mr. Zelensky for his dictator comments. “We’re going to have a very good meeting,” he stated. “I have a lot of respect for him.”
Mr. Trump’s derogatory remarks last week about Mr. Zelensky stand in stark contrast to his consistently favorable view of Mr. Putin, whom he has lauded since winning a second term. This week, for instance, the president described Mr. Putin as “a very smart guy” and “a very cunning person.” He also mentioned that he believes Mr. Putin genuinely desires peace and remarked on Thursday that “he’ll keep his word” if a deal is made, despite past Russian breaches of agreements.
Although he has communicated with Mr. Putin via phone, Mr. Trump has provided little insight into how he plans to negotiate either a cease-fire or a lasting peace settlement. During his campaign last year, he claimed he would end the war within 24 hours and even before his inauguration, promises that went unfulfilled.
At Thursday’s news conference, Mr. Trump shared a blend of hope and pessimism regarding his prospects for achieving peace. “I think it’s going to happen, hopefully quickly,” he said. “If it doesn’t happen quickly, it may not happen at all.”
Prime Minister Starmer and other European leaders have expressed a willingness to send troops for a multinational peacekeeping force in Ukraine once fighting ceases. However, Mr. Trump has resisted calls to commit U.S. troops, even in support roles, or to provide security assurances to Ukraine against potential renewed Russian aggression.
Since taking office, Mr. Trump has insisted that Ukraine provide a portion of its natural resources in exchange for military aid given under President Joseph R. Biden Jr. to help defend against Russia. While Mr. Trump inaccurately asserted that the U.S. has contributed $350 billion and Europe only $100 billion, data from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy shows that Europe has actually pledged $138 billion compared to $119 billion from the United States.
According to a draft of the rare minerals agreement reviewed by The New York Times, Ukraine would yield half of its revenues from the future monetization of natural resources, including essential minerals, oil, and gas. Mr. Trump described the deal on Thursday as a significant boost for economic development, stating, “It’ll be good for both countries.”