Trump teases meeting with Zelenskyy amid US’ ‘serious discussions’ with Putin to end Russia-Ukraine war

Trump Hints at Potential Meeting with Ukrainian President to Finalize Rare Earth Minerals Deal

President Donald Trump recently hinted at a possible meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office to finalize a critical deal. The deal, which is reportedly nearing completion, involves the United States gaining access to Ukraine’s natural resources, such as titanium, iron, and uranium, in exchange for billions of dollars in support for Ukraine’s war efforts against Russia. Trump expressed enthusiasm about the potential meeting, stating, "He may come in this week or next week to sign the agreement, which would be nice, I’d love to meet him. Would meet at the Oval Office." He also emphasized that the agreement is "very beneficial to their economy" and that both sides are "very close" to a final deal. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the negotiations as being on the "one-yard line," indicating that the deal is nearly finalized.

Trump in "Serious Discussions" with Putin About Ending the Russia-Ukraine War

In addition to the potential deal with Ukraine, Trump revealed that he is engaged in "serious discussions" with Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. The president made these comments shortly after meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in the Oval Office to discuss the G7 Summit. Trump emphasized the importance of the "Critical Minerals and Rare-Earths Deal" between the United States and Ukraine, describing it as an "economic partnership" that would benefit both nations. He also highlighted the need to "ensure the American people recoup the tens of billions of dollars in military equipment sent to Ukraine" while supporting Ukraine’s economic growth as the war comes to an end.

Predicting a Swift End to the War

Trump also expressed optimism about the possibility of the Russia-Ukraine war ending soon, predicting that it could conclude "within weeks." He stated, "I think the war could end soon. If we’re smart, it’ll keep going and we’ll keep losing young, beautiful people that we shouldn’t be dying. And we don’t want that." Trump also warned of the risk of escalation, saying, "This could escalate into a third world war, and we don’t want that either." His administration has been working behind the scenes to broker peace, with officials such as White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff meeting with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia. However, Ukraine was notably absent from these negotiations.

Ukraine’s Stance on Peace Negotiations

President Zelenskyy has made it clear that Ukraine will not accept any peace deal unless it is directly involved in the negotiation process. Following the meeting in Saudi Arabia, Zelenskyy reiterated that "nobody decides anything behind our back." This stance has led to increased tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy, with Trump criticizing the Ukrainian leader’s negotiating skills. Trump recently stated, "I’ve been watching this man for years now as his cities get demolished, as his people get killed, as his soldiers get decimated. I’ve been watching him negotiate with no cards. He has no cards, and you get sick of it."

Trump’s Criticism of Zelenskyy and Willingness to Engage with Moscow

Trump’s criticism of Zelenskyy has been sharp, with the former president arguing that the Ukrainian leader has been ineffective in negotiations. He dismissed Zelenskyy’s importance in the peace talks, saying, "He’s been at meetings for three years and nothing got done, so I don’t think he’s very important to be at meetings, to be honest with you." Despite his criticism, Trump expressed willingness to engage directly with Putin, stating, "At the appropriate time, I would go to Moscow." This willingness to meet with Putin while criticizing Zelenskyy has raised questions about Trump’s approach to the conflict and his priorities in the region.

A Potential "Win-Win" Deal for the U.S. and Ukraine

The rare earth minerals deal has been framed by the Trump administration as a "win-win" opportunity for both the United States and Ukraine. The agreement would allow the U.S. to recoup some of the costs of its significant military aid to Ukraine while providing Ukraine with economic benefits that could help rebuild its economy once the war ends. However, the deal also highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play, with the U.S. seeking to strengthen its economic and strategic ties with Ukraine while simultaneously engaging with Russia. As the situation continues to unfold, the interplay between these negotiations and the ongoing war will likely shape the future of the region and international relations for years to come.