Ukrainian President Zelensky set to meet U.S. President on Friday

New Delhi, Feb 27L Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Friday to sign an agreement about sharing Ukraine's valuable minerals, as reported by most of the news agencies.

Trump announced the deal, while Zelensky described it as an early step toward further cooperation. He also wants the U.S. to provide security guarantees to protect Ukraine from future Russian attacks.

However, as BBC reported that Trump made it clear that the U.S. would not give Ukraine strong security guarantees, saying that Europe should take more responsibility. Trump also dismissed Ukraine's chances of joining NATO, a goal Zelensky has long pursued. Instead, Trump argued that allowing American companies to mine minerals in Ukraine would offer "automatic security."

Trump suggested that a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia might be close, saying that a deal was in the works. But Zelensky disagreed, insisting that without security guarantees, a ceasefire would not last. Russia has always opposed Ukraine joining NATO, seeing it as a threat, and Trump echoed Russia's view that NATO expansion contributed to the war.

As part of a possible peace plan, Trump proposed European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, but Russia quickly rejected this idea. Zelensky said the success of the minerals deal depended on his meeting with Trump. Details of the agreement remain unclear, but Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal mentioned it could include an investment fund to rebuild Ukraine as reported by BBC.

The deal was first suggested by Zelensky last year to keep U.S. support for Ukraine. However, disagreements over its terms have caused tensions between the two leaders. Reports in the media suggest that the U.S. initially asked for $500 billion worth of minerals, which Ukraine rejected, but this demand has since been dropped. Trump sees the agreement as a way for the U.S. to recover some of the money it spent on Ukraine, while Zelensky hopes it will lead to further cooperation.

Trump has been trying to bring an end to the war as he promised in his election campaign before becoming the President of the US. Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have already spoken by phone and sent representatives to Saudi Arabia for talks without including Ukraine or the European Union. This angered Zelensky, who accused the U.S. of helping Putin regain international influence.

Ukraine is rich in minerals, with an estimated 5 to 7 percent of the world's critical raw materials. But mining them won’t be easy. Many deposits are in Russian-occupied areas, worth around $350 billion, according to Ukraine’s economy minister, as reported by the media. Meanwhile, Putin has suggested that Russia could also offer the U.S. access to minerals, including those from occupied Ukrainian territory.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is also set to meet both Trump and Zelensky this week to discuss the war.

What Could Happen Next?

The minerals deal could help Ukraine secure continued U.S. support, but it may not be enough to ensure its security. If the U.S. remains reluctant to provide strong defence commitments, Ukraine might seek greater backing from Europe. Trump's continuing push for a ceasefire could lead to negotiations. The question remains who will participate, and who will be the guarantor? Saudi Arabia was brought in as a substitute to European countries, but without Ukraine’s involvement, any deal risks tilting in favour of Russia.

Political observers also say that if the U.S. and Russia move closer diplomatically, Zelensky might find himself increasingly isolated. Meanwhile, the challenge of accessing and mining Ukraine’s minerals, especially in Russian-occupied areas, could delay any economic benefits from the agreement. The situation remains uncertain, and much will depend on the outcome of Zelensky's meeting with Trump on Friday.