Last Updated:
Trump addressed Zelenskyy’s ambitions to join NATO, stating that he would never be accepted into the alliance
US President Donald Trump with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy. (Reuters file image)
US President Donald Trump on Monday said that his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy is trying to back out of a crucial minerals deal, warning that the Ukrainian leader would face “big, big problems” if he did.
Trump has been working to broker a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia and, as part of these efforts, has been urging Zelenskyy to sign an agreement that would allow US companies to access Ukraine’s rare earth minerals.
“I see 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 told reporters on his plane as he flew back to Washington from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
🇺🇸🇺🇦 Trump warns Zelensky over rare earth deal, saying: “If he’s trying to back out, he’s got some problems.”“He was never going to be a member of NATO… If he’s looking to renegotiate the deal, he’s got big problems.” he adds pic.twitter.com/Mlh24X898q
— HOT SPOT (@HotSpotHotSpot) March 31, 2025
The US President also addressed Zelenskyy’s ambitions to join NATO, stressing that this would never happen. “We made a deal on rare earth and now he’s saying, well, you know, I want to renegotiate the deal. He wants to be a member of NATO. Well, he was never going to be a member of NATO. He understands that. So if he’s looking to renegotiate the deal, he’s got big problems.”
Since taking office, Trump has been pushing for a quick end to the more than three-year war in Ukraine. However, his administration has yet to secure a breakthrough despite efforts to negotiate with both sides.
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin had rejected a joint US-Ukrainian plan for a 30-day ceasefire and suggested that Zelenskyy should be removed from office as part of the peace process.
ALSO READ: Trump Says He Is ‘Pissed Off’ At Putin’s Remarks On Zelenskyy, Threatens Additional Tariffs On Russian Oil
Why is the mineral deal so important for Trump?
The minerals deal, which would grant the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, was initially proposed to Zelenskyy by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in February.
Under the deal, Washington is requesting 50% of all revenue generated from Ukraine’s mineral and natural resources, which US officials describe as compensation for previous military assistance provided to the country for war with Russia.
Ukraine has some of the world’s largest reserves of key minerals. Recent estimates suggest it has the biggest titanium reserves in Europe and 7% of the world’s total, along with the largest lithium reserves in Europe. Ukraine is also a major producer of rare earth minerals.
Additionally, Ukraine has confirmed deposits of beryllium, uranium, and manganese. Before the war, Ukraine was the fifth-largest producer of gallium and a significant producer of neon gas.
Ukraine also holds large reserves of non-ferrous metals, such as copper, zinc, silver, lead, nickel, cobalt, and graphite, which are crucial for various industries worldwide.
(With inputs from agencies)