KYIV — President Trump is meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House today to sign a preliminary deal that will grant the United States access to Ukraine’s critical raw materials in exchange for potential future aid.
This is the first face-to-face meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump since Trump’s inauguration. This meeting follows a controversial statement made by Trump, where he labeled Zelenskyy as a dictator and echoed Kremlin narratives, including the claim that Ukraine instigated the conflict with Russia.
“The significance of this meeting is that it’s happening at all,” stated Serhii Fursa, deputy director of Ukrainian investment firm Dragon Capital, who is closely monitoring the minerals agreement. “I do not think President Zelenskyy will enjoy this trip personally. He just has to do it.”
The current deal does not appear to offer explicit security guarantees. However, Zelenskyy is expected to advocate for these protections in a finalized agreement, emphasizing Ukraine’s need for defense against Russian aggression. The agreement primarily outlines the establishment of a Reconstruction Investment Fund, jointly managed by both nations. This fund aims to collect and reinvest revenues generated from Ukrainian natural resources, including oil, gas, rare earth metals, and critical minerals vital for high-tech devices.
“We will need the U.S. to continue being our strategic partner,” said Yurii Sak, an advisor to Ukraine’s Ministry of Strategic Industries. “This agreement is a step toward rebuilding our country after the conflict.”
Zelenskyy previously rejected earlier versions of the agreement due to unfavorable terms that would have left Ukrainians in debt. He opposed Trump’s proposal that revenues be used to repay previous aid from the U.S., describing it as an unpleasant offer reminiscent of colonial-style exploitation.
In the revised framework, the terms are reportedly more favorable to Ukraine, allowing revenue to be directed toward future investments instead.
In Kyiv, citizens are anxiously observing the developments of the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting. Anna Kolesnyk, a communications manager in Kyiv, expressed concerns that Trump might retaliate against Zelenskyy if tensions arise during the discussions.
“God help us not to lose a lot,” she remarked, referring to concerns over territory and resources, “and to gain as many advantages from this meeting as possible.”
