Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pledged on Tuesday to mend strained ties with the United States following a tense Oval Office meeting with President Donald Trump last week. The fallout from the encounter has cast uncertainty over a proposed minerals-for-military-aid deal, as U.S. officials sent mixed signals about its status.
Four sources told Reuters that Washington and Kyiv had planned to sign an agreement granting the U.S. access to Ukrainian minerals in exchange for military support. However, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later denied that any signing was imminent, telling Fox News that “there is no signing planned.”
The White House, Ukraine’s presidential office, and the Ukrainian embassy in Washington declined to comment on the deal, leaving its fate unclear. Despite the uncertainty, Zelenskiy expressed his willingness to finalize the agreement, stating he was prepared “any time and in any convenient format” to proceed.
Zelenskiy’s statement followed Trump’s abrupt decision to halt military aid to Ukraine, a move that signals a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy. In response, Zelenskiy emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to seeking peace, saying, “None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians.”
Attempting to smooth relations, Zelenskiy acknowledged the contentious White House meeting, where he and his delegation were reportedly scolded by Trump and Vice President JD Vance for not showing enough gratitude. “We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence,” Zelenskiy wrote. “Our meeting in Washington did not go the way it was supposed to. It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right.”
Meanwhile, Russian forces launched another drone attack on Ukraine’s Black Sea port city of Odesa, killing one person and causing widespread power, water, and heating outages. Moscow welcomed the U.S. decision to suspend military aid, calling it a “step toward peace.”
The pause in U.S. assistance has alarmed many in Washington and Europe. Democratic leaders criticized Trump’s pivot toward Russia as a historic policy shift, potentially undermining Ukraine’s defense against a well-armed adversary. In contrast, Republican leaders in Congress have largely refrained from challenging the move.
European nations have been quick to respond, with Germany proposing a 500 billion euro fund to bolster defense spending and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiling plans to mobilize up to 800 billion euros for EU military support. French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed support for Ukraine, while Prime Minister Francois Bayrou strongly condemned Trump’s decision, calling it an abandonment of an ally in war.
The U.S. aid freeze has sparked concern in Ukraine, where many see it as a betrayal. “Yes, it is betrayal, let’s call it like it is,” said Kyiv-based lawyer Olena Bilova. Others, including members of Ukraine’s parliament, worry that the move could push Kyiv toward capitulation.
Trump is expected to outline his position on Ukraine and Russia in a major speech to Congress later on Tuesday, which may provide further clarity on the administration’s evolving foreign policy stance.
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