Zelenskyy and Trump Forge Surprising Mineral Agreement

Trump and Zelenskyy have agreed on a landmark minerals deal that could reshape U.S.-Ukraine relations, but key details remain unresolved as both sides prepare for a possible White House signing ceremony.

Quick Takes

Trump administration and Ukraine have reached a tentative agreement on strategic minerals worth potentially hundreds of billions of dollars.
Ukraine will contribute 50% of future proceeds from state-owned mineral resources to a fund where the U.S. will have priority decision-making.
The U.S. dropped earlier demands for a $500 billion share in potential revenue.
Deal excludes existing revenue sources and requires Ukrainian parliamentary approval.
Agreement aims to reduce U.S. dependency on China for critical minerals while helping Ukraine secure economic stability.

Strategic Deal Secures Critical Resources

The Trump administration has struck a preliminary agreement with Ukraine on access to rare earth minerals and other critical resources, establishing what could become a cornerstone of future relations between the nations. The framework deal focuses on the exploration and export of Ukraine’s strategic minerals to the United States, which includes substantial deposits of graphite, lithium, titanium, and rare earth metals. These resources are essential for technology and defense industries, potentially reducing America’s reliance on China for these critical materials while providing Ukraine with economic opportunities during wartime.

President Trump has publicly expressed confidence about finalizing the agreement soon. “It looks like we’re getting very close,” Trump stated about the minerals deal, which his administration views as compensation for the substantial U.S. wartime assistance provided to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion. Ukrainian officials see this agreement as a strategic opportunity to cement ties with the U.S. despite changing political winds in Washington and to secure long-term support for their country’s sovereignty and economic future.

Deal Terms and Structure

The agreement establishes a framework where Ukraine will contribute 50% of future proceeds from state-owned mineral resources to a dedicated fund. Importantly, the deal specifically excludes existing revenue-generating resources, such as those controlled by state energy companies Naftogaz and Ukrnafta. According to reports, the United States will have a priority voice in decisions related to this fund, though the exact mechanism for this arrangement remains unclear in public reporting. This structure represents a compromise from earlier negotiations, as Trump initially proposed stricter terms which Kyiv rejected.

The U.S. has notably dropped earlier demands for a $500 billion share in potential revenue from resource exploitation, a concession that helped advance the talks. Ukraine’s justice, economy, and foreign ministers have reportedly approved the deal terms, though it still requires approval from Ukraine’s parliament to take effect. Some Ukrainian mineral deposits currently lie in territories under Russian control, adding complexity to the agreement’s implementation and raising questions about how these areas might be addressed in the future.

Strategic Implications for Both Nations

For Ukraine, this agreement represents more than just an economic opportunity—it’s seen as a way to anchor American interests in Ukraine’s success and survival as a sovereign nation. Ukrainian officials hope the minerals deal will strengthen ties with the U.S. and potentially lead to a long-term security commitment, though the current agreement deliberately excludes discussions about U.S. military support. President Zelenskyy views the deal as a means to stabilize relations with the Trump administration, which have been complicated since Trump took office.

For the United States, the arrangement reflects a shift in foreign policy under Trump, emphasizing deals with tangible returns rather than open-ended commitments. The agreement aims to secure valuable resources for American technology and defense industries while reducing dependency on China, which currently dominates the global market for many critical minerals. The deal, described as keeping Ukraine “free, sovereign and secure,” nevertheless stops short of providing military protection assurances that Kyiv has sought. Trump and Zelenskyy are expected to meet at the White House for a formal signing ceremony, though no date has been announced as of this writing.