Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Ukraine is prepared to sign a minerals deal with the United States if all parties are ready. Speaking to UK media after a summit in London, Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine’s willingness to proceed with the agreement.
The proposed deal, aimed at securing US involvement in Ukraine’s post-war recovery through joint mineral resource exploitation, was expected to be signed during Zelensky’s visit to Washington. However, negotiations collapsed on Friday after a tense Oval Office exchange with US President Donald Trump.
During their meeting, Trump pressed Zelensky to be more “thankful” for US support, warning that without American assistance, Ukraine would have been overtaken by Russia. Trump also insisted that Ukraine must finalize an agreement or risk losing US backing entirely.
Following the heated discussion, Zelensky left the White House without signing the deal or holding a joint press conference. The White House later confirmed that the agreement remained unsigned.
Meanwhile, European leaders rallied around Ukraine at a London summit hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. French President Emmanuel Macron suggested a one-month partial truce with Russia as a potential path toward de-escalation.
