U.S President Donald Trump announced during his address to Congress on Tuesday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is now willing to sign a mineral deal with the United States.
The development comes just days after an explosive Oval Office meeting where the two leaders clashed over Ukraine’s war strategy and its negotiations with Russia.
Trump revealed that Zelenskyy sent him a letter earlier in the day, signaling his readiness to move forward with the deal.
The agreement would grant the U.S. access to Ukraine’s mineral resources in exchange for military aid provided by Washington over the past three years.
The Ukrainian leader echoed this sentiment on social media, describing last week’s Oval Office argument as “regrettable” and confirming Ukraine’s willingness to finalize the deal.
During his address, Trump reiterated his administration’s efforts to engage Russia in peace talks, stating, “We have had serious discussions with Russia and received strong signals that they are ready for peace.”
He also acknowledged Zelenskyy’s commitment to ending the war, quoting him as saying, “Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians.”
Tensions flared last week when Zelenskyy challenged Trump’s push for peace talks with Russia. The dispute escalated when Vice President JD Vance accused Zelenskyy of being “disrespectful” toward Trump.
The former president, in turn, told Zelenskyy, “I’ve empowered you to be a tough guy, and I don’t think you’d be a tough guy without the United States.”
The heated exchange led to Zelenskyy leaving the White House early, skipping a scheduled joint press conference.
However, in an interview with Fox News, he defended his stance, stating he saw no wrongdoing in standing firm on Ukraine’s position.
He also remained optimistic about future negotiations, expressing hope for a stronger deal and improved relations with the Trump administration.
With both leaders now appearing to be back on track, the next steps for the mineral deal remain uncertain.
While Trump is eager to finalize an agreement, potential political hurdles and continued pressure from international allies could complicate the process.
Meanwhile, the conflict in Ukraine continues, with peace negotiations hanging in the balance.