Zelensky leaves White House early after spat with Trump: Live Updates
Zelensky leaves White House early after spat with Trump: Live Updates
(32 minutes later)
The US president has for weeks demanded that Kiev grant access to its natural resources so Washington can recoup the aid provided to Ukraine
What was supposed to be the formal signing of a minerals agreement descended into a shouting match and bitter recriminations
US President Donald Trump was receiving Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky at the White house, where the two were expected to sign an agreement granting Washington access to Ukraine’s natural resources.
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has been asked to leave the White House early without signing an agreement granting the US rights to the country’s natural resources or holding the planned joint press conference.
The idea of a deal involving Ukraine’s rare-earths was first floated by Zelensky last autumn, and the US president took him up on the offer earlier this month. There was some back-and-forth over the past few weeks, with the Ukrainian leader apparently attempting to secure more favorable terms.
The meeting between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance quickly devolved into an openly hostile confrontation during which the US head of state accused Zelensky of ungratefulness and unwillingness to negotiate an end to the Ukraine conflict.
The minerals deal was expected to provide a general framework and confirm the two nations’ intent to create a special joint fund to be followed up by a series of separate documents, stipulating the details.
The idea of a deal involving Ukraine’s rare-earths was initially floated by Zelensky last autumn, and the US president took him up on the offer earlier this month. There had been some back-and-forth over the past few weeks, as the Ukrainian leader attempted to secure more favorable terms. It was expected that the two leaders would sign a version of the accord on Friday.
White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett told NewsNation on Thursday that the “ballpark estimate of what it’s worth to the American people is around $20 billion.”
Despite the fact that the Ukrainian government reviewed and greenlighted the agreement on Wednesday, the deal has apparently been left in limbo after the fiery exchange at the White House on Friday.
The Ukrainian government reviewed and greenlighted the agreement on Wednesday, according to Prime Minister Denis Shmigal.
Local media outlets Strana.ua and Evropeiskaya Pravda published what they claimed to be the text of the future agreement. According to the publications, 50% of all revenues from the future development of Ukraine’s natural resources will accrue to a joint fund, with the accumulated assets being invested in the country’s economy “at least once a year.”
Despite Kiev’s demands, Washington will not offer any security guarantees to Ukraine under the agreement, only “supporting” efforts to secure an arrangement.
Commenting on the deal, Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier this month that it “doesn’t concern” Moscow.
