US President Donald Trump has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of attempting to back out of a rare earth minerals deal, warning of “big problems” if Kyiv refuses to sign. The agreement, expected to be finalized this week, has faced last-minute revisions, prompting concerns from Ukraine.
Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday, claimed Zelensky was seeking to renegotiate terms, possibly in exchange for NATO membership—a demand he dismissed as unrealistic. “If he’s looking to renegotiate the deal, he’s got big problems,” Trump said.
However, Zelensky denied linking the deal to NATO, stating Tuesday that membership was “never part of this agreement.” He emphasized Ukraine’s readiness for an unconditional ceasefire but acknowledged that the US proposal had evolved significantly.
A new draft, submitted by the US Treasury Department and reviewed by CNN, expands American control over Ukraine’s mineral resources, including oil, gas, and rare earth metals. It also proposes a joint investment fund managed mostly by US appointees, raising fears in Kyiv over sovereignty and repayment of past US aid.
Zelensky confirmed that negotiations were ongoing but cautioned that the deal had been revised multiple times. “We are for cooperation with the United States,” he said, though Ukraine opposes clauses treating past aid as a “contribution” to the fund.
Meanwhile, Trump has also pressured Russia, threatening secondary sanctions if Moscow obstructs a ceasefire. Finnish President Alexander Stubb, after meeting Trump, suggested April 20 as a deadline for peace talks.
