Zelensky thanks scores of world leaders for support after Trump clash

World leaders rushed to offer their support to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after his blow up withe Donald Trump on Friday.

French President Emmanuel Macron, newly elected German leader Friedrich Merz and Canada’s Justin Trudeau were among many who pledged to “stand by’ Ukraine.

Representatives from Sweden, Ireland, Norward, Croatia, Spain, Portugal, Latvia, and more all offered their support, as did members of the E.U. council.

One noted absence was the U.K.’s Kier Starmer, who had his own meeting with Donald Trump yesterday where he attempted, with mixed success to tout his country’s special relationship with the U.S.

Zelensky thanked each leader with the same message, “Thank you for your support.”

French President Emmanuel Macron says France will continue to stand by Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron has joined scores of world leaders pledging to support Ukraine amid faltering U.S. support.

In a post on X, in French, he said, “There is an aggressor: Russia. There is a people under attack: Ukraine.

“We were all right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago and to continue to do so.

“We are Americans, Europeans, Canadians, Japanese and many others.

“Thanks to all those who helped and continue. And respect to those who, since the beginning, have been fighting. Because they are fighting for their dignity, their independence, for their children and for the security of Europe.”

Canada pledges to ‘stand by Ukraine’

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has pledged that his country will stand by Ukraine after Trump threatened to pull U.S. support on Friday.

“Russia illegally and unjustifiably invaded Ukraine,” he said in a post on X. “For three years now, Ukrainians have fought with courage and resilience. Their fight for democracy, freedom, and sovereignty is a fight that matters to us all.

“Canada will continue to stand with Ukraine and Ukrainians in achieving a just and lasting peace.”

Zelensky thanked America for its support after White House meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked America for “for your support” after he clashed publicly with Donald Trump in the White House.

“Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you@POTUS , Congress, and the American people,” he wrote.

JD Vance accused Zelensky of not being grateful enough to the U.S. for their support in the war against Russia, saying he did not saying “thank you.”

Zelensky, who has thanked Trump on countless other occasions, once again thanked him and lawmakers for their backing on Friday.

“Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that,” he said.

‘I want a ceasefire now,’ says Trump

Trump has demanded an immediate ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia following his blow up talks with Zelensky at the White House today.

“I want it to end immediately, I want a ceasefire now,” he said.

Trump reacts to contentious Zelensky meeting before flying to Mar-a-Lago

Before flying to Mar-a-Lago for the weekend, President Donald Trump spoke to the press about Friday’s heated meeting in the Oval Office with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“Zelensky’s got to say, ‘I want to make peace.’ He doesn’t have to stand there and say ‘PUTIN THIS, PUTIN THAT’ – all negative things. He’s got to say, ‘I don’t want to fight a war any longer,'” Trump said outside of the White House on Friday evening.

“That was not a man that wanted to make peace. I want it to end immediately, I want a ceasefire now,” he added.

NATO Allies react to Donald Trump’s heated confrontation with Zelensky

European leaders and officials took to social media on Friday to express their support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after he had an explosive Oval Exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

The leaders have been at odds recently as Trump has continued to push for a deal giving the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals as part of pursuing a peace deal with Russia to end the war between the two nations.

Tensions have been raised after Trump called Zelensky a “dictator,” prompting criticism from foreign leaders. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said ahead of negotiations with Russia that Ukraine should not expect to regain all of its territory since Russia invaded in 2022.

Tensions seemed to cool following Trump meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over the past week, with the U.S. president seeming to backtrack on his “dictator” comment and suggesting the U.S. would help Ukraine “get as much back as possible.”

Read in full from Peter Aitken on Newsweek.

Democratic party sues Donald Trump over his executive power claims

The Democratic National Committee (DNC), along with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) filed a civil lawsuit against President Donald Trump on Friday.

The suit, filed against Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Federal Elections Commission (FEC) officials, challenges the executive order that mandates the president and attorney general as the sole authorities for legal interpretations within the executive branch.

The plaintiffs argue that this directive undermines the FEC’s bipartisan structure, established to ensure impartial enforcement of federal campaign finance laws. Democrats also contend that allowing a single partisan figure to control legal interpretations could unfairly influence decisions, such as ongoing investigations into DSCC’s campaign activities.

The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent the enforcement of the executive order, maintaining that it violates the FEC Act’s provisions designed to ensure neutral oversight of election laws.

WATCH: Moment Lindsay Graham calls Zelensky Oval Office meeting an ‘utter disaster’

GOP lawmakers celebrate the White House blow up for ‘putting America first’

Several Republican lawmakers have celebrated the very public blow up between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, claiming it shows the U.S. president “putting America first.”

“Thank you for standing up for OUR COUNTRY and putting America first, President Trump and Vice President Vance!,” Senate Foreign Relations Committee member, Sen. Mike Lee posted on X.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green claimed that Trump had been “Putting Zelensky in his place while he disrespects the U.S.”

“[This] is exactly what American leadership should look like. This is what We The People want to see!” she wrote.

Sen. Rick Scott of Florida shared a clip of the shouting match, adding, “Thank you President Trump for standing up for America.”

Andy Cohen reacts to Trump-Zelensky White House blow-up

President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky‘s White House meeting on Friday was so explosive that even Bravo’s Andy Cohen weighed in on it.

Zelensky’s White House visit came amid high tensions with the United States over Trump’s efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war.

At their meeting on Friday, Trump accused Zelensky of being “disrespectful” and warned him, “You have no right to dictate what we should feel. You are gambling with World War III.”

“Did we just watch The Real Housewives of The World. @Andy,” one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

The Watch What Happens Live host replied: “we did…. and Zelensky ate them up.”

Putin allies rejoice after heated Trump-Zelensky White House meeting

Russian state media and allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin took a victory lap after U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday.

Zelensky’s White House visit came amid high tensions with the United States over Trump’s efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war.

At their meeting on Friday, Trump accused Zelensky of being “disrespectful” and warned him, “You have no right to dictate what we should feel. You are gambling with World War III.”

“I have empowered you to be a tough guy. You either make a deal, or we’re out. You don’t have the cards,” Trump said.

The interaction sparked fury from American observers but was celebrated almost immediately by Russian state media outlets and supporters of Putin.

Dmitry Medvedev, the former president and prime minister of Russia who now serves as deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, wrote on Telegram: “A fierce dressing down in the Oval Office. Trump told the cocaine clown the truth to his face for the first time: the Kiev regime is playing with World War III. And the ungrateful pig got a solid slap from the pigsty owners. This is useful. But it is not enough – we need to stop military aid to the Nazi machine.”

The state-controlled media outlet RT characterized the Trump-Zelensky meeting as a dressing down, writing on X: “Zelensky sits with hands between legs as US President and VP hammer him.”

Read in full from Sonam Sheth on Newsweek.

Graham uncertain about future of U.S.-Ukraine relations after heated White House exchange

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., expressed uncertainty about the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations following a tense meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President Donald Trump, and Vice President JD Vance, which ended without a deal on rare-earth minerals. Speaking to Fox News, Graham admitted he wasn’t sure if the damage caused by the exchange could be repaired and questioned whether the U.S. could continue working with Zelenskyy.

While Graham noted his admiration for Zelenskyy, he criticized the Ukrainian president’s behavior during the meeting, accusing him of poor judgment and a lack of control. “He either needs to resign and send somebody over that we can do business with, or he needs to change,” Graham said.

The senator also praised Trump and Vance for their stance during the meeting, expressing pride in their defense of U.S. interests.

Did Zelensky campaign for Kamala Harris in 2024 election? What we know

During a contentious Oval Office meeting on Friday, Vice President JD Vance accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of campaigning for former Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential race.

Trump and Zelensky met in the White House to sign a deal regarding Ukrainian minerals, as well as to continue discussions on reaching an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. But the meeting spiraled into shouting and disagreements, with Vance raising concerns about Zelensky’s visit to Pennsylvania last year.

“You went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition in October. Offer some words of appreciation for the United States of America and the president who is trying to save your country,” Vance said.

His criticism stems from a September 2024 visit to a munitions plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania, a battleground state that narrowly backed Trump in November.

Read in full from Andrew Stanton on Newsweek.

White House ordered Ukrainians to leave after Trump and Zelensky’s meeting

President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a tense exchange in the Oval Office, which led to both leaders going to separate rooms.

While the Ukrainians expressed a desire for the talks to continue, the White House made it clear that the meeting had come to an end.

A White House official confirmed that President Trump ordered the Ukrainians to be told to leave, per CNN.

Rep. Don Bacon calls recent developments a ‘bad day for America’s foreign policy’

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., expressed strong disappointment over the recent developments surrounding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House, calling it “a bad day for America’s foreign policy.”

Bacon emphasized Ukraine’s desire for independence, free markets, and the rule of law, stating, “Ukraine wants to be part of the West. Russia hates us and our Western values. We should be clear that we stand for freedom.”

Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., also voiced his concerns, calling the situation “a missed opportunity for both the United States and Ukraine” on social media. He criticized the public nature of the fallout, calling it a “disaster” for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy had previously met with a bipartisan group of senators, including GOP Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., though neither senator immediately commented on the Oval Office meeting.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal remains hopeful about continued U.S. support for Ukraine despite setback

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., expressed optimism that the recent setback at the White House would not hinder U.S. support for Ukraine in its ongoing battle against Russia. Speaking after a morning meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Blumenthal emphasized his hope that discussions could be resumed despite the tension.

Blumenthal, who was part of a group of about 10 senators, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, described the meeting as “enthusiastically positive and upbeat.” During the session, senators discussed the possibility of a U.S. treaty or memorandum of understanding to solidify long-term support for Ukraine.

“I have very strong hopes that the coalition we have in Congress — and it is a very strong bipartisan coalition — will be persuasive to the administration and others that we have a long-term national security interest in Ukraine prevailing over Putin’s brazen aggression,” Blumenthal stated.

How Zelensky’s White House visit with Trump unraveled in real time

President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were scheduled to sign a minerals deal Friday at the White House and then hold a joint press conference in a choreographed show of solidarity aimed at repairing their increasingly fraught relationship.

Instead, Trump effectively kicked Zelensky out of the White House and canceled the press conference after a remarkably heated exchange with Ukraine’s leader in the Oval Office — a dramatic turn of events that ratcheted up tensions between the two leaders and put Trump’s push for a quick peace deal in Ukraine in doubt.

“I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace,” Trump wrote in a social media post immediately after the Oval Office meeting. “He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”

Minutes later, Zelensky’s motorcade was seen pulling up to the White House. A White House spokesperson said Friday that the minerals deal was not signed, according to a pool report.

Read the full story by Daniel Bush on Newsweek.

Zelensky’s planned interview with Bret Baier still scheduled for today

Fox News confirmed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s scheduled interview with Bret Baier will proceed as planned, at least for now.

Despite recent developments, the network said the interview remains on the calendar for today.

Zelenskyy left the White House without a deal on rare-earth minerals

Zelenskyy left the White House without signing a deal on rare-earth minerals, the White House confirmed.

The Ukrainian leader had visited the White House to meet with Trump to sign a deal to give the U.S. some control over their rare-earth minerals, as they discuss America’s involvement in the Ukraine-Russia war.

Sen. Adam Schiff calls Zelensky a ‘hero’, and Trump a ‘coward’

Sen. Adam Schiff has branded President Donald Trump a “coward” after his heated exchange with Zelensky.

“A hero and a coward are meeting in the Oval Office today. And when the meeting is over, the hero will return home to Ukraine,” he said.

Democratic senators slam Trump’s blow-up with Zelensky as ’embarrassment’

Democratic lawmakers have accused President Trump of “doing Putin’s dirty work” after his very public shouting match with Zelensky.

Many branded the historic Oval Office meeting an “embarrassment.”

“Trump and Vance are doing Putin’s dirty work,” Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, posted to X.

Sen. Chris Murphy, called the messy meeting an “utter embarrassment for America.”

Several complained about VP JD Vance’s contributions to the meeting, which appears to have ignited the blow up.

“That’s what you get for letting Vance in the room,” Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse told NBC News.

White House reporters say they’ve ‘never seen anything like’ Oval Office meeting

White House reporters across multiple outlets on both sides of the political spectrum say they have never seen anything like the shouting match that broke out between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Tass journalist gains access to Oval Office during Trump-Zelensky meeting

A member of Russia’s state-owned news agency, TASS, gained unauthorized access to the Oval Office on Friday during a meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This came as the AP and Reuters were barred from the high-level meeting.

The Russian journalist was part of a group of hand-picked reporters selected for the session, which focused on the US’s efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. The meeting was expected to include discussions on a potential deal involving US access to Ukraine’s mineral resources in exchange for security guarantees.

While the White House later confirmed to CNN that the TASS journalist was not authorized for the press pool, the staffer was escorted out once it was discovered. This incident follows a recent decision by the White House to take control of pool reporter selection, breaking with longstanding tradition.

Zelensky has left the White House

Zelensky has left the White House, without getting a deal and without doing a press conference with Trump after their fiery Oval Office clash.

Zelensky rebukes Trump’s call for Russian ceasefire to his face

During Friday morning’s heated news conference in the Oval Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told U.S. President Donald Trump, “We don’t just need a ceasefire [with Russia.] We’ve done that before — Putin violated it 25 times, including during your presidency, Mr. President.”

In his earlier remarks, Trump called for a “ceasefire” and “truce” amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The president also reiterated Friday that he “trusts” Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelensky added, “there must be security guarantees” and that they can’t just talk about a ceasefire.

Read in full from Gabe Whisnant on Newsweek.

Trump: Zelensky can come back when he’s ‘ready for peace’

President Trump has posted that Zelensky can come back when he’s “ready for peace.”

The joint press conference between Trump and Zelensky has been canceled after after their unprecedented Oval Office shouting match on Friday.

Shortly after their disastrous meeting, Trump posted on Truth Social, “We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure.

“It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations.

“I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”

Joint press conference between Zelensky and Trump is canceled

The joint press conference between Zelensky and Trump has been canceled following their historic shouting match at the Oval Office.

Zelensky gives thumbs up at end of extremely tense Oval Office meeting

Zelensky looked emotional at the end of the extremely tense Oval Office meeting, although he flashed a thumbs up at a reporter who called out to him.

Meanwhile, JD Vance was smiling and laughing while Trump appeared serious.

‘This is going to be great television’ says Trump of unprecedented Oval Office meeting

The Oval Office meeting came to an end with a bang, as Trump announced “I think we’ve seen enough.”

“This is going to be great television I will say that,” he added.

Trump says he’s ‘not aligned’ with Zelensky or Putin

Trump told reporters in the messy Oval Office meeting that he was “not aligned with anyone” when pushed about coming out against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Well, if I didn’t align myself with both of them, you’d never have a deal. You want me to say really terrible things about Putin and then say, ‘Hi, Vladimir. How are we doing on the deal?’ It doesn’t work that way.

“I’m not aligned with Putin. I’m not aligned with anybody. I’m aligned with the United States of America, and for the good of the world, I’m aligned with the world, and I want to get this thing over with,” Trump said alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office.

‘I don’t know’: Trump shrugs off question about what happens if Russia breaks ceasefire

A furious Trump has brushed off a question about what the U.S. would do if Russia breached its ceasefire.

“What if anything?” Trump replied, sarcastically.

“What if a bomb drops on your head right now?

“I don’t know. The broke it with Biden.”

Trump cites Zelensky’s ‘hate’ for Putin as reason war won’t end

President Trump sought to blame Zelensky for the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Trump claimed that Zelensky’s “hatred” for Vladimir Putin, who invaded his country, was to blame.

“You see the hatred he’s got for Putin,” Trump said. “That’s very tough for me to make a deal with that kind of hate.”

Trump says Zelensky isn’t acting thankful, calls it ‘great television’

During a tense meeting in the Oval Office on Friday, Trump accused Zelensky of not showing enough gratitude for U.S. support. Trump raised his voice as he told Zelensky, “You’re not acting at all thankful,” and added that the situation would make for “great television” as he ended the discussion.

Trump to Zelensky: ‘You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out’

Trump warned Zelensky that during the shouting match that if he did not agree to the deal with the U.S., then America was “out.”

“You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out.”

“If we’re out, you’ll fight it out. I don’t think it will be pretty,” Trump added.

Recapping the tense shouting match in the Oval Office

A tense shouting match broke out in the Oval Office on Friday between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was seeking continued US security assistance during his trip to Washington.

The heated exchange, also involving Vice President JD Vance, saw Trump and Zelensky raising their voices as they clashed over the nature of US support and Zelensky’s perceived lack of gratitude.

“You’re not really in good position right now,” Trump scolded Zelensky, his voice rising. “You’re gambling with World War III.”

Vance added to the tension, calling Zelensky “disrespectful” for attempting to address the conflict in public. The confrontation highlighted growing frustrations between the leaders over Ukraine’s reliance on US aid.

White House said it mistakenly let Russian news agency reporter into the Oval Office

The White House said that it mistakenly let a reporter from the Russian news agency Tass into the Oval Office for Donald Trump’s meeting with Zelensky.

TASS was not on the approved media list, according to the White House.

When the press office realized who the reporter was, he was escorted out by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Vance and Trump claim Zelensky is being ungrateful

During the fiery Oval Office meeting, Zelensky told Trump that he couldn’t trust Vladimir Putin’s assurances for peace, noting the Russian leader’s lengthy history of broken promises.

Trump fires back that he hadn’t brokered any agreements with Putin, but that Zelensky should be more grateful.

“You’ve got to be more thankful,” Trump told Zelensky after JD Vance had scolded the Ukrainian leader for debating Trump in the Oval Office.

“Have you said ‘thank you’ once?” Vance asked Zelenskyy.

Ukrainian president meets with US Senate delegation during Washington visit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with a bipartisan US Senate delegation on Friday during his trip to Washington, DC. Zelensky described the visit as “an important visit to the United States” and discussed key issues, including continued military assistance for Ukraine, legislative initiatives, and efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace.

Zelensky shared details of his discussions in a post on X, emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships with the US. He expressed gratitude for the ongoing bipartisan support Ukraine has received during Russia’s full-scale aggression. The president also mentioned his upcoming meeting with President Trump, where the leaders are expected to discuss US efforts to end the war and explore potential agreements, including a minerals deal.

Shouting match erupted amid discussion over Ukraine ceasefire

An unprecedented shouting match broke out in the Oval Office during a heated discussion about the Ukraine ceasefire deal and any security guarantees from the U.S.

Photos from the Oval Office capture the moment Trump, Zelensky and Vance all lost their cool and began raising their voices.

At one point, Trump told Zelensky, “I have empowered you do be a tough guy, you either make a deal or we’re out. You don’t have the cards.”

Trump is raising his voice against Zelensky, warns ‘you’re not really in good position right now’

President Trump has accused Zelensky of being “disrespectful” during their Oval Office meeting.

“You’re not really in good position right now,” Trump shouted at the Ukrainian president, according to press at the White House.

JD Vance also chimed in, claiming it was “disrespectful for Zelenskyy to come into the Oval Office, litigating in front of the American media.”

“You have NO right to dictate what we should feel. You are gambling with World War III,” Trump added during the tense moment between the two leaders.

Heated moment between Trump and Zelensky, ‘You are gambling with World War 3’

The meeting between Trump and Zelensky has reportedly become heated, with the U.S. president telling the Ukrainian leader, “You are gambling with World War III.”

Zelensky met with bipartisan group of senators before going to White House

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with a bipartisan group of senators on Friday morning ahead of his White House visit.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, shared a smiling picture of the Ukrainian leader with herself, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham and Democrat Sen. Chris Coons.

“Really good bipartisan meeting before President Zelensky heads to the White House. We stand with Ukraine,” Klobuchar posted on X.

Klobuchar shared the picture just minutes before Zelensky arrived at the White House for his meeting with President Donald Trump.

Trump said Ukraine should ‘forget’ NATO ambitions ahead of Zelensky meeting

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Ukraine “can forget about” joining the NATO military alliance as he prepares to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday.

Trump also detailed his plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the near future, during which the American and Russian leaders will try to negotiate an end to Russia’s war with Ukraine, which started when Russia launched an unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Following a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, a reporter asked Trump what “concessions” he would like to see to bring an end to the three-year-long conflict.

“Oh, I don’t want to tell right now,” Trump said. “But I can tell you that NATO you can forget about. I think that’s probably the reason the whole thing started.”

He then turned to Vice President JD Vance and asked him if he wanted to make a statement on the matter.

“I mean, look, as the president said, we’re not going to do the negotiation in public with the American media,” Vance said. “He’s going to do it in private with

Read in full from Sonam Sheth and Gabe Whisnant on Newsweek.

IN PICTURES: President Trump greets Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a handshake at the White House

Why Trump’s minerals deal could fall through

According to the World Economic Forum, Ukraine possesses around 5 percent of the world’s “critical raw materials,” and Kyiv claims to have some of the world’s largest deposits of graphite, lithium, titanium, beryllium and uranium.

However, an absence of concrete data on its geological wealth has led many to question just how extensive these resources are, or how easy it would be to extract and profit from them in the near future.

Though Kyiv claims to possess 20,000 “surveyed deposits and ore-bearing sites comprising 97 types of minerals,” only 8,000 of these have been “proven,” and under half of these are currently being mined. These statistics were compiled prior to the Russian invasion, which experts say has caused significant damage to its extraction infrastructure and resulted in “reduced capacity utilization.”

“Ukraine, aside from obvious political obstacles, has a large problem with inventorying,” said Wesley A. Hill, who manages the Energy, Growth, and Security Program at the International Tax and Investment Center. “We know that Ukraine has rare earth elements and some companies like BGV are involved in surveying, however most of the Soviet-era inventorying was actually kept in Moscow and not made available to Ukraine when the USSR collapsed.”

Extraction would also be costly, with the Ukrainian Geological Survey estimating in 2023 that realizing its 10 largest minerals projects would require $15 billion in funding.

This is in addition to the costs associated with reconstructing Ukraine following years of war—$524 billion according to a joint report from the World Bank, the Government of Ukraine, the European Union and the United Nations.

Zelenskyy arrives at White House to meet with Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived at the White House to meet President Donald Trump.

What Is Trump’s minerals deal with Ukraine?

According to a copy of the deal published by the Financial Times, in compensation for America’s “significant financial and material support to Ukraine,” the country will vest a share of its natural resources into a “Reconstruction Investment Fund,” jointly owned and managed by the two nations.

Though the text of the deal does not put a price tag on how much will be placed in the fund by Ukraine, it states that Kyiv will contribute “50 percent of all revenues earned from the future monetization of all relevant Ukrainian Government-owned natural resource assets…defined as deposits of minerals, hydrocarbons, oil, natural gas, and other extractable materials, and other infrastructure relevant to natural resource assets (such as liquified natural gas terminals and port infrastructure).”

Washington has dropped its demand for $500 billion worth of the country’s rare earth mineral deposits, which does not feature in the text of the deal, and which Zelensky previously said he would not accept.

When asked on Tuesday what Ukraine would gain in return for granting the U.S. partial ownership of its resources, Trump responded: “$350 billion and lots of equipment, military equipment, and the right to fight on,” repeating the sum he claims the country has so far received from the U.S. However, the $350 billion figure contradicts estimates provided by the Kiel Institute, a think tank that has monitored assistance to Ukraine since the launch of Russia’s invasion, and which places U.S. assistance at approximately 114.2 billion euros ($119 billion).

The U.S. Department of Defense has a higher estimate of $182.8 billion, which also takes into account the costs of providing training and other forms of less direct support.

The plan has reportedly been in the works for several months, presented by Zelensky to then-candidate Trump back in September, according to Reuters, and previously suggested as a potential repayment mechanism by several Republican lawmakers prior to this.

Ukraine minerals deal could be Trump’s first big win—or a fiasco

Donald Trump’s plan to recoup U.S. funds spent on Ukraine’s self-defense holds significant potential, but is accompanied by several contingencies, question marks and potential drawbacks.

The deal could mark the first major foreign policy win of the new administration—addressing Republican concerns about the costs of aiding Ukraine, while also providing a repayment mechanism that alleviates some of the political obstacles for future assistance.

The specific details of the agreement and plans for its execution remain scarce, and the deal faces several pitfalls before it can be declared a victory for the U.S. president.

Read in full from Hugh Cameron on Newsweek.