Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, stating that failure to finalize a mineral rights agreement with American companies could lead to 'major problems' for Kyiv.
According to a report by French news agency AFP, Trump is pushing for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia while simultaneously pressuring Zelensky to grant American firms access to Ukraine’s rare mineral resources. Speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One, Trump expressed his concerns about Zelensky’s reluctance, stating, "I see that he is trying to back out of this rare mineral deal, and if he does, he will face some problems—big, big problems."
It is noteworthy that in February 2025, Trump had set his sights on Ukraine’s mineral reserves worth hundreds of billions of dollars, aiming to offset the financial burden the U.S. has shouldered in supporting Ukraine during its war with Russia.
A report by Reuters previously revealed that the Trump administration was seeking an expedited agreement with Ukraine regarding these mineral resources. The initial deal was expected to outline the extent of American access to Ukraine’s vast deposits, with further discussions to determine specific terms and conditions.
Last week, President Zelensky rejected a comprehensive U.S. proposal that would have allowed Washington to claim 50% of Ukraine’s key mineral resources, including graphite, uranium, titanium, and lithium—critical elements for electric vehicle batteries and other advanced technologies.
