Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the White House on Friday. US President Donald Trump is hosting his Ukrainian counterpart where both the leaders will discuss the end of war and a potential minerals deal.
The proposed agreement would grant the US access to Ukraine’s vast, untapped mineral resources in exchange for American investment and possible security guarantees for Kyiv. While details remain unclear, analysts suggest the deal could pave the way for broader peace negotiations.
Trump, who recently referred to Zelensky as a “dictator,” struck a more conciliatory tone ahead of their meeting, telling reporters, “I have a lot of respect for him.”
The meeting follows Trump’s recent discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Both European leaders have been seeking security assurances for Ukraine after being excluded from US-Russia talks aimed at ending the conflict.
After meeting a bipartisan delegation from the US Senate, Zelensky posted on X, “Our discussions focused on the continued military assistance for Ukraine, relevant legislative initiatives, my meeting with President Trump, efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace, our vision for ending the war, and the importance of robust security guarantees. We take pride in having strategic partners and friends like the United States. We are grateful for the unwavering bicameral and bipartisan support for Ukraine throughout all three years of Russia’s full-scale aggression.”