U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to visit the White House on Friday to finalize a rare earth minerals deal tied to U.S. military aid for Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump indicated that the deal, which had been the subject of tense negotiations, is now in its final stages. “I hear that he’s coming on Friday. Certainly, it’s OK with me if he’d like to. And he would like to sign it together with me. And I understand that’s a big deal, very big deal.”
The agreement marks a major shift in U.S.-Ukraine relations, following reports that Washington initially demanded a $500 billion financial stake in Ukrainian resources as repayment for aid—terms that Zelenskyy fiercely opposed, warning it would burden “10 generations” of Ukrainians. According to sources, the final deal softens some of those demands, instead creating a joint development fund for Ukraine’s mineral resources, though key details—such as the U.S. ownership share—remain unclear.
Under the agreement, Ukraine will receive $350 billion in military aid, with Trump emphasizing that it secures Ukraine’s ability to “fight on.” However, the deal reportedly does not include the long-term security guarantees Kyiv had sought.
The resources in question—critical for batteries, electronics, wind turbines, and weapons—have drawn international interest. As talks progressed, Russian President Vladimir Putin also proposed a competing minerals deal, highlighting Russia’s superior reserves in occupied Ukrainian territories. Moscow’s new presidential envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, has since floated potential economic cooperation with Washington.
While neither the U.S. nor Ukrainian governments have officially confirmed the deal’s details, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna called negotiations “constructive,” expressing hope that both leaders would “sign and endorse it in Washington the soonest to showcase our commitment for decades to come.”
With the agreement nearing completion, the visit could mark a pivotal moment in U.S.-Ukraine relations, as both nations navigate war, economic pressure, and shifting global alliances.