In a crucial phase for Ukraine, its leader, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington this Friday. The discussion is pivotal as it could shape future U.S. support for Ukraine’s security against potential Russian threats. Zelenskyy’s visit is not only about political talks but also includes plans for an economic collaboration with the U.S., poised to finance the reconstruction of Ukraine following warfare damages. The intention is to forge a robust bond between the two nations for the foreseeable future.
Though the economic deal is perceived as a foundational step toward peace after three years of conflict, it leaves room for separate security talks between Zelenskyy and Trump, anticipated to begin during the visit. As Russian forces continue their incursion with superior equipment and manpower, Ukraine’s leaders seek a U.S.-brokered peace plan, ensuring their nation’s security remains intact. Many in Ukraine are wary of a too-quick peace deal that concedes too much to Russia, fearing it might give Moscow a chance to regroup and strike again when fighting ends.
The preliminary economic arrangement, crafted by the U.S. and Ukraine, involves creating a jointly managed investment fund. Ukraine’s contribution will be half of its future natural resource revenues, spanning across minerals, hydrocarbons, and similar elements. A detailed agreement post-preliminary signing will lay out the intricacies of forming this fund.
President Trump views the budding agreement as an opportunity for Ukraine to repay the U.S. for military aid given under President Biden’s administration. On the other hand, Zelenskyy stands firm on including specific security assurances within any agreement that offers U.S. access to Ukrainian resources. He emphasized the need for clarity on broader security commitments for Ukraine when he addressed the topic recently.
Trump has yet to fully commit to any U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine, pointing towards European responsibility for such measures. A proposed truce, if actualized, could see British and French troops participate in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine to prevent resurging conflicts. Both nations’ leaders, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, visited Washington recently, engaging with Trump on potential peacekeeping arrangements and wider war concerns.
Despite skepticism in the White House regarding Britain’s and France’s ability to rally sufficient European troops for a credible deployment, diplomacy continues. A senior official from Trump’s administration hinted that a mutually agreed peace would likely precede any multinational deployment.
Ukrainian and European officials recognize the improbability of U.S. troops joining such missions. However, European leaders, including Starmer, argue U.S. backing is pivotal, supporting European forces through intelligence, surveillance, and rapid response if needed. Starmer has emphasized the strategic importance of crafting a peace deal that garners international acclaim and proves beneficial to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy has yet to clarify what specific security guarantees Ukraine needs, though NATO membership remains a goal. Nevertheless, he has hinted that an equivalent security pact might suffice. Trump, meanwhile, dismissed Ukraine’s prospects of joining NATO anytime soon.
This meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy’s first since Trump’s inauguration, signifies a diplomatic triumph for Ukraine, especially since it occurs prior to Trump meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin. This timing is seen as favorable in Kyiv. Zelenskyy also intends to discuss U.S. military aid continuity, potential weapons purchases from the U.S., and the prospects of using frozen Russian assets for armament procurement or lifting sanctions on Moscow.
Concerns linger over Trump possibly negotiating a Russia-centric peace deal that could disadvantage Ukraine. Such apprehensions grow due to Trump’s unprecedented actions, like his extensive call with Putin and high-level U.S.-Russia meetings excluding European or Ukrainian representatives.
While Zelenskyy seeks to ease tensions during his Washington visit, U.S. officials believe the economic agreement itself could offer some security assurance to Ukraine through American investments. Trump has stated that U.S. involvement in Ukraine’s mineral sector will effectively secure Ukraine, deterring any potential adversaries.
The agreement text echoes this sentiment, asserting U.S. backing for Ukraine’s pursuit of essential security assurances to achieve lasting peace. Additionally, Washington pledges long-term financial engagement towards cultivating a stable, economically thriving Ukraine.
