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The future of Ukraine’s security—and its vast mineral wealth—is on the table as President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. The two leaders are set to sign a preliminary agreement that could see American companies extracting rare earth minerals in Ukraine, a move that Trump suggests will provide “automatic security” for the war-torn nation.
But security guarantees? Not so fast. While Zelensky is pushing for stronger U.S. backing to deter Russian aggression, Trump has made it clear that America won’t commit beyond “very much,” placing the onus on Europe. In fact, he has seemingly dismissed Ukraine’s longstanding ambition of joining NATO, echoing Russian claims that the alliance’s expansion fueled the war.
Despite Trump’s assertion that a ceasefire deal between Ukraine and Russia is within reach, Zelensky remains skeptical. “Without security guarantees, we won’t have a ceasefire, nothing will work,” he declared, emphasizing his determination to find a NATO alternative.
Meanwhile, European leaders are watching closely. The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, underscored the need for European involvement in any potential peace deal, warning that negotiations excluding Europe are unlikely to hold. As tensions simmer, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is also set to meet with both Trump and Zelensky, adding another layer of complexity to the diplomatic chessboard.
Ukraine’s rich mineral deposits, estimated to hold 5% of the world’s critical raw materials, are at the heart of the negotiations. But with vast portions of these resources located in Russian-occupied territories and landmines littering the country, extraction won’t be easy.
As details of the deal remain under wraps, one thing is clear: Zelensky is navigating treacherous waters. With Trump eager to reset relations with Russia and Ukraine fighting for its survival, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Whether this deal marks a turning point or another geopolitical tightrope walk remains to be seen.
Despite Trump’s assertion that a ceasefire deal between Ukraine and Russia is within reach, Zelensky remains skeptical. “Without security guarantees, we won’t have a ceasefire, nothing will work,” he declared, emphasizing his determination to find a NATO alternative.
Meanwhile, European leaders are watching closely. The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, underscored the need for European involvement in any potential peace deal, warning that negotiations excluding Europe are unlikely to hold. As tensions simmer, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is also set to meet with both Trump and Zelensky, adding another layer of complexity to the diplomatic chessboard.
Ukraine’s rich mineral deposits, estimated to hold 5% of the world’s critical raw materials, are at the heart of the negotiations. But with vast portions of these resources located in Russian-occupied territories and landmines littering the country, extraction won’t be easy.
As details of the deal remain under wraps, one thing is clear: Zelensky is navigating treacherous waters. With Trump eager to reset relations with Russia and Ukraine fighting for its survival, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Whether this deal marks a turning point or another geopolitical tightrope walk remains to be seen.
