Daijiworld Media Network – Washington
Washington, Mar 31: US President Donald Trump has warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky against backing out of critical minerals deal with the US, hinting at severe consequences if Kyiv refuses to move forward with the agreement. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump claimed Zelensky was attempting to withdraw from the deal, saying, "He's trying to back out of the rare earth deal, and if he does that, he's got some problems, big, big problems."
Trump also dismissed Ukraine’s aspirations for NATO membership, stating bluntly, "He wants to be a member of NATO, but he's never going to be a member of NATO. He understands that."
The controversial minerals agreement, currently under review by Ukrainian officials, reportedly grants the US extensive control over Ukraine’s natural resources through a joint investment fund. Zelensky has made it clear that he will not sign any deal that interferes with Ukraine’s ambitions to join the European Union, stating, "Nothing that could threaten Ukraine's accession to the EU can be accepted." Kyiv has since requested changes to the proposal, including increased US investment and clearer terms on how the fund would operate.
The Trump administration has framed the deal as an essential part of Ukraine’s post-war recovery, though it has not provided concrete security guarantees in return for broad access to the country's resources. The deal was initially set to be signed on February 28 but collapsed after a heated dispute in the Oval Office between Zelensky, Trump, and vice-president J D Vance.
Meanwhile, Trump has also expressed interest in negotiating natural resources deal with Russia. Following a March 18 phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he indicated that Washington hoped to expand trade with Moscow and secure access to rare earth minerals. Russia, for its part, has signaled willingness to collaborate with foreign partners on rare earth development, including in occupied Ukrainian territories.
With tensions rising over the minerals deal, the standoff between Kyiv and Washington adds another layer of complexity to Ukraine’s geopolitical future, as Zelensky balances US pressure with his country's European ambitions.