By Donald Trump is on the cusp of signing a deal that could dramatically change the future of two companies. The United States and Ukraine are reportedly on the verge of finalizing a deal that would grant the American access to significant Ukrainian mineral resources in exchange for continued American security assistance. According to reports the agreement could help ease pressure on Ukrainian leadership amid growing tensions with Washington.
The deal had been in the works for weeks, but had appeared stalled until late last week when Trump began calling out Ukrainian leadership. Initially, Ukraine resisted U.S. demands that would have forced them to give up control of half of their mineral wealth—a deal that Ukrainian officials considered highly disproportionate, as the value of those resources far exceeded the benefits of U.S. military aid, writes The New York Times.
Mr. Trump boasted at the White House that he was nearing a deal that could bring up to $500 billion to the United States. “So we’re signing an agreement, hopefully in the next fairly short period of time,” he said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine likewise said his country was working on a draft agreement between the two governments, seemingly tamping down the tensions that had flared with Mr. Trump over a deal.
“This agreement can add value to our relations — what matters most is getting the details right to ensure it truly works,” Mr. Zelensky said in a social media post on Friday.
The signs of easing tensions only underscored how Mr. Trump has struck an overtly transactional and mercantilist stance toward resolving a conflict, started by Russia, that carries profound security implications for Europe and the future of the trans-Atlantic alliance.
If the USA owns the most valuable mineral rights in Ukraine, the USA has a permanent investment in the defense of Ukraine. https://t.co/eAinHMtakD
— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) February 22, 2025
This negotiation reflects a clear shift in American foreign policy under Trump, focusing more on transactional deals to strengthen the country’s future rather than traditional diplomatic alliances, which has led to Americans paying billions just because they can.
“I’ve had very good talks with Putin, and I’ve had not such good talks with Ukraine,” Trump said, suggesting that Ukraine held no leverage in the negotiations yet was playing “tough.”
In contrast, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, took a more diplomatic approach during his visit to Kyiv. After several days of talks, Kellogg described his discussions with Ukrainian leadership as “extensive and positive” and visited injured Ukrainian soldiers—a gesture that was reportedly well-received by officials in Kyiv.
A long and intense day with the senior leadership of Ukraine. Extensive and positive discussions with @ZelenskyyUa, the embattled and courageous leader of a nation at war and his talented national security team. https://t.co/kLu9roZ5z1
— Keith Kellogg (@generalkellogg) February 21, 2025
The dynamic between Trump and Kellogg seems to reflect a “good cop, bad cop” strategy, with Trump applying public pressure while Kellogg works on diplomatic outreach behind the scenes.
In a video statement, President Zelensky expressed cautious optimism, stating that the focus should be on ensuring the agreement is fair and beneficial for both sides. “This agreement can add value to our relations — what matters most is getting the details right to ensure it truly works. I look forward to a just result,” Zelensky said.
Trump’s allies argue that encouraging U.S. business investments in Ukraine could serve as an unconventional form of security assurance, noted The Washington Post. Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Richard Grenell, Trump’s special envoy for special missions, suggested that American investors on the ground would help reinforce U.S. commitment to Ukraine’s stability and economic recovery. Grenell stated, “If you’ve got a bunch of Americans, or Westerners even, that are in Ukraine, that are in the Black Sea doing economic development, I can’t think of a better way to have a security assurance.”
The war-torn country sits on significant reserves of rare earth minerals crucial to the world’s most cutting-edge technologies. In total, the value of the minerals could run into the trillions of dollars, some reports have claimed.
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