US President Donald Trump welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House on Friday as the two leaders prepared to sign an agreement on minerals that could pave the way for ending the war in Ukraine. The deal establishes a joint US-Ukraine "Investment Fund," which would receive 50% of all revenue from the "future monetization" of Ukraine’s natural resources.
While the agreement does not include an explicit security guarantee—something Zelenskyy had sought—Trump stated on Thursday that the presence of US workers and economic interests in Ukraine would serve as a strong deterrent against potential Russian aggression.
Ukrainian officials successfully negotiated the removal of some of the most contentious provisions in the agreement, including a clause that would have granted the US $500 billion in potential revenue.
Zelenskyy’s visit also aimed to secure Ukraine a seat at the negotiating table, as Trump and other European leaders have initiated direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to resolve the conflict. The Ukrainian President emphasized that he would reject any peace agreement that excluded Kyiv’s participation.
Relations between Zelenskyy and Trump have been strained, particularly after Trump referred to the Ukrainian leader as a "dictator" earlier this month. When asked about the remark during a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday, Trump responded, "Did I say that?"
The visit underscores the complex diplomatic dynamics surrounding Ukraine’s efforts to end the war and maintain its sovereignty.
(Accompanying image: A montage of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Donald Trump, and a map of Ukraine.)
