Zelensky reconsidering minerals deal; Trump warns of ‘big problems’ ahead

US President Donald Trump has claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is reconsidering a critical minerals agreement with the United States, warning that withdrawing from the deal could have serious consequences. 

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said, "He's trying to back out of the rare earth deal and if he does that he's got some problems, big, big problems." He also dismissed Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, stating, "He wants to be a member of NATO, but he's never going to be a member of NATO. He understands that," news agency IANS reported.

Ukrainian officials are currently reviewing the latest version of the minerals agreement, which reportedly grants the US significant influence over Ukraine’s natural resources through a joint investment fund. 

On 28 March, Zelensky stressed that Kyiv would not approve any deal that could compromise its bid to join the European Union. "Nothing that could threaten Ukraine's accession to the EU can be accepted," he said.  

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At the same time, Ukraine is pushing for amendments to the agreement, seeking greater US investment and more transparency in the joint fund’s operations.  

The Trump administration has positioned the minerals deal as crucial to Ukraine’s stability, but it has not provided clear security guarantees in return for access to resources. An earlier version of the agreement, scheduled for signing on 28 February, fell apart following a tense Oval Office meeting between Trump, Zelensky, and Vice President J D Vance.  

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The White House has described the deal as a means for the US to "recoup" some of the financial aid it has provided to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion. Meanwhile, Trump has shown interest in a similar resources agreement with Russia.

 After a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on 18 March, Trump stated that Washington was looking to expand trade with Moscow and gain access to "very big forms of rare earth."  

Putin previously stated on 24 February that Russia is open to working with foreign partners on rare earth metal development, including in occupied Ukrainian territories.