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“It’s a very big deal. It could be a trillion-dollar deal,” Trump stated Tuesday. “We’re spending hundreds of billions of dollars on Ukraine and Russia fighting a war that should have never ever happened.”
The ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe has now stretched beyond three years, depleting resources and raising questions about continued U.S. financial support.
Zelenskyy has previously promised to grant access to Ukraine’s mineral wealth to countries aiding its war effort. However, he initially refused to sign off on the mineral rights deal when it was presented by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
The deal covers at least 20 of the 50 substances deemed critical by the U.S., including lithium, graphite, titanium, uranium, and rare earth elements—key materials for advanced technology and defense industries.
While Zelenskyy has been open to negotiations, he has also pushed for added security measures for Ukraine in the deal.
“I don’t want something that 10 generations of Ukrainians will have to pay back,” he told reporters Sunday, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Notably, the agreement does not include any security guarantees from the U.S. or pledges for continued weapons supplies—though discussions on military support remain ongoing.
“What we’re doing is, now we’re saying, ‘Look, we want to be secured,’” Trump explained. “The American taxpayer now is going to get their money back, plus.”
Trump has previously estimated that the U.S. has spent $350 billion on Ukraine-related funding, either in direct assistance or war efforts. However, a federal interagency group places the figure closer to $183 billion by the end of 2024, while the Kiel Institute estimates the U.S. contribution at $119.2 billion.
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In contrast, European Union institutions have dedicated $52.1 billion, with individual European nations collectively adding $60.4 billion to Ukraine’s cause.
Alina Polyakova, chief executive of the Center for European Policy Analysis, suggested that the mineral deal could significantly strengthen Trump’s hand as his administration engages with Russia.
“It should be something big that the U.S. demands from Moscow as this was a big concession from Ukraine,” she remarked.
With Zelenskyy’s White House visit looming, all eyes are on the final details of this deal—one that could reshape America’s role in Ukraine’s future and the broader geopolitical landscape.
