President Donald Trump is expected to announce a long-debated minerals deal with Ukraine during his address to Congress on Tuesday, marking a dramatic turnaround after his explosive Oval Office meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump Puts Pressure on Ukraine
The deal comes after Trump intensified pressure on Kyiv by suspending U.S. military aid, a move that sent shockwaves through Ukraine and its allies. Three sources confirmed Trump wants to present the agreement as a major diplomatic win, though final signatures are still pending.
“The situation remains fluid,” one source cautioned. Neither the White House nor Ukraine’s presidential administration in Kyiv has commented on the matter.
If finalized, the agreement would signal a major shift from last Friday’s heated meeting, where Trump questioned Zelensky’s commitment to peace, and Vice President JD Vance demanded the Ukrainian leader show more gratitude. The tense exchange led to Zelensky’s abrupt departure before a planned luncheon and press conference.
Zelensky Bows to Pressure
Despite Friday’s fallout, U.S. officials have urged Zelensky’s team to push forward with the minerals deal and even suggested he publicly apologize to Trump.
On Tuesday, Zelensky acknowledged the contentious meeting but emphasized Ukraine’s willingness to move forward.
“Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer,” he posted on X, adding that his government is prepared to sign the agreement “at any time, in any format.”
Zelensky also floated the idea of a ceasefire in the air and at sea, contingent on Russia’s cooperation. “We stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to secure a lasting peace,” he wrote, signaling the kind of deference Trump has demanded.
U.S. Aid Suspension Sparks Alarm
The fallout from the Oval Office clash continues to reverberate. The Trump administration’s sudden pause on military aid has left Ukraine vulnerable, with European leaders scrambling to fill the gap.
A senior British government source warned that without U.S. support, Ukraine’s resistance against Russia could collapse within months.
As Trump prepares to take the stage before Congress, all eyes are on whether this minerals deal will be enough to mend relations—or if it’s merely a tactical maneuver in his high-stakes power play with Kyiv.
