President Trump publicly expressed frustration on Friday over Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s delay in finalizing a key minerals agreement with the United States, a deal that had been expected to be completed nearly two months ago. Speaking through a post on Truth Social while en route to Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis, Trump emphasized the urgency of the matter and signaled optimism about broader peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
"Ukraine, headed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has not signed the final papers on the very important Rare Earths Deal with the United States. It is at least three weeks late. Hopefully, it will be signed IMMEDIATELY. Work on the overall Peace Deal between Russia and Ukraine is going smoothly. SUCCESS seems to be in the future," Trump wrote.
The minerals deal, seen as critical to securing American access to rare earth elements vital for technology and defense industries, had initially been expected to be signed during Zelensky’s visit to the United States in late February.
However, tensions between the two leaders led to an abrupt halt in discussions at that time, derailing what had been billed as a major milestone in U.S. Ukraine relations. Since then, efforts to revive the agreement have been ongoing, with both sides expressing cautious optimism but little concrete progress until now.
Last week, Trump suggested that the deal was on the verge of completion, telling reporters that the signing would happen "soon." Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent added that White House officials were still finalizing the specifics of where and when the signing ceremony would take place, with tentative plans aiming for the upcoming Saturday.
Despite these assurances, as of Friday, the final agreement remained unsigned, prompting Trump’s public nudge toward Zelensky to act quickly.
On the Ukrainian side, Zelensky indicated last week that Kyiv and Washington were close to agreeing on a memorandum of intent related to the minerals partnership. Although his remarks were more cautious than Trump’s, they reflected a shared desire to move the negotiations forward.
For Ukraine, securing a strategic partnership with the United States over its abundant mineral resources offers both economic benefits and enhanced security assurances amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.
The proposed agreement would grant the United States preferential access to Kyiv’s critical mineral supply, a vital step for Washington as it seeks to reduce dependence on China and other adversaries for rare earth materials.
In return, Ukraine would reportedly receive a package of security guarantees and economic support, reinforcing its position against Russian aggression. However, finalizing such a deal has proven more complicated than initially anticipated, complicated further by the delicate nature of simultaneous peace negotiations with Russia.
Trump’s decision to publicly press Zelensky underscores the stakes involved. The minerals deal represents not just an economic partnership but a geopolitical move aimed at strengthening Western alliances and securing vital supply chains.
At the same time, Trump’s administration has been working to boost domestic production of critical minerals, as reflected in an executive order signed last month prioritizing national resources development.
Meanwhile, Trump’s recent comments about the broader war in Ukraine have added complexity to the situation. In an interview published Friday with Time magazine, Trump placed blame on Ukraine for the conflict, citing Kyiv’s aspirations to join NATO as a primary cause of Russian hostility.
He also suggested that Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, would likely remain under Moscow’s control as part of any eventual peace settlement. These statements sparked concern among Ukrainian officials and international observers, who fear that they could weaken Ukraine’s negotiating position and embolden Russian demands.
Trump further asserted during remarks on Thursday that Russia would be making a major concession if it agreed to cease further territorial advances into Ukraine, framing such an outcome as a victory for peace.
His portrayal of Zelensky as harder to work with than Russian President Vladimir Putin has added another layer of tension to an already strained relationship between the two leaders. Nevertheless, Trump continues to insist that a comprehensive peace deal is within reach and that tangible progress is being made behind the scenes.
The diplomatic balancing act between finalizing the minerals agreement and negotiating an end to the war is a delicate one. For Ukraine, securing strong ties with the United States remains essential for both economic survival and national security.
Yet any perceived concessions to Russia, particularly on issues as sensitive as territorial sovereignty, risk undermining domestic political support and fueling opposition among Ukraine’s allies in Europe.
For Trump, delivering both a high profile minerals deal and a peace agreement would constitute major political victories at a time when international stability remains precarious. The minerals deal would bolster American industrial security while a peace agreement could allow Trump to claim credit for ending one of the world’s most devastating conflicts.
Achieving both outcomes, however, requires navigating a complex web of competing interests, historical grievances, and deeply entrenched distrust between the warring parties.
Observers have noted that the delay in signing the minerals agreement may reflect broader uncertainties within the Ukrainian government. With the war against Russia grinding on and political pressures mounting at home, Zelensky faces difficult choices.
Partnering too closely with Trump, particularly given the former president’s controversial statements about NATO and Russia, could alienate key European allies and complicate Ukraine’s broader diplomatic efforts.
Despite these challenges, signs of progress continue to emerge. Officials on both sides report that working level negotiations are ongoing and that the major terms of the minerals agreement have already been agreed upon.
The remaining issues appear to center on implementation details, security guarantees, and the timing of public announcements.
Both Washington and Kyiv have strong incentives to finalize the deal swiftly. For the United States, securing access to rare earth elements is a critical component of national security strategy, particularly as competition with China intensifies.
For Ukraine, the partnership represents an opportunity to demonstrate resilience, attract investment, and reinforce its strategic partnership with the United States at a pivotal moment.
The optics of the deal are also important. With Trump attending high profile events like Pope Francis’s funeral and maintaining a vigorous public presence, finalizing the minerals agreement would provide a tangible achievement to highlight on the world stage.
For Zelensky, signing the agreement could help offset domestic criticism and bolster his government’s credibility by delivering concrete benefits amid a grinding and costly war.
As Trump and Zelensky both prepare to attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome, it remains unclear whether they will meet privately to iron out the remaining details of the minerals agreement. Diplomatic sources suggest that informal discussions could take place on the sidelines, although no official meetings have been announced.
Looking ahead, the success or failure of the minerals agreement may offer important clues about the trajectory of broader U.S. Ukraine relations under Trump’s renewed leadership.
A completed deal would signal that despite political tensions and public disagreements, both sides remain committed to strategic partnership. A continued impasse, however, could raise questions about the durability of the alliance and the prospects for coordinated efforts against Russian aggression.
For now, the world watches and waits as two leaders with very different styles and priorities attempt to bridge their differences for the sake of mutual benefit. Whether the minerals deal is finalized in the coming days or continues to languish will reveal much about the future of American foreign policy and the balance of power in Eastern Europe.
