What did Zelensky seek in Washington, and how would the minerals deal aid the US?

Washington, DC – February 28, 2025: What began as a high-stakes diplomatic summit between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump quickly devolved into a fiery confrontation, exposing deep rifts between the two leaders.

The meeting, held in the Oval Office, was intended to finalize a landmark deal granting the United States access to Ukraine’s vast reserves of rare earth and critical minerals while exploring a potential path toward peace in Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia.

Instead, it ended in a shouting match, a canceled press conference, and a public airing of grievances that could reshape the US-Ukraine relationship.

What did Zelensky seek in Washington?

Zelensky arrived in Washington with a dual mission: secure a strategic economic partnership through the minerals deal and reinforce American support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s aggression.

The proposed agreement would have positioned Ukraine as a key supplier of materials vital to advanced technology and green energy, strengthening ties with the US amid its push to reduce reliance on China for such resources.

At the same time, Zelensky sought firm security guarantees to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty as it navigates a grueling conflict now in its third year.

For Trump, the meeting was an opportunity to flex his deal-making prowess and push his vision of a swift resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war—a conflict he has repeatedly criticized as a drain on American resources. Accompanied by Vice President JD Vance, Trump entered the talks with a clear message: Ukraine must either negotiate peace with Russia or risk losing US backing.

The discussion quickly turned contentious. According to sources familiar with the meeting, Trump and Vance accused Zelensky of failing to show sufficient gratitude for the billions of dollars in military and economic aid the US has provided since Russia’s invasion began in 2022.

“You’re not acting at all thankful,” Trump reportedly snapped, echoing a sentiment he has expressed publicly in the past. He pressed Zelensky to strike a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning, “You’re either going to make a deal, or we’re out.”

Why did Zelensky question Putin’s credibility?

Zelensky, visibly frustrated, pushed back. He argued that Putin’s track record—marked by broken agreements like the Minsk accords—rendered negotiations unreliable without ironclad security assurances.

“How can we trust a man who breaks every promise?” Zelensky reportedly asked, emphasizing that Ukraine’s fight is not just for its own survival but for the broader democratic world. The exchange escalated into a heated back-and-forth, with raised voices echoing through the historic room.

The breaking point came when Trump, exasperated, abruptly ended the meeting. Sources say he told Zelensky to leave the White House, effectively scuttling a planned joint press conference. The minerals deal, which had been painstakingly negotiated over months, remained unsigned as the Ukrainian delegation departed in a hurry.

The fallout was immediate and public. Trump took to social media within hours, lambasting Zelensky for being “not ready for peace” and accusing him of disrespecting the United States in the Oval Office. “I gave him a chance to show leadership, and he blew it,” Trump wrote, hinting that his administration might reconsider its support for Ukraine entirely.

Zelensky, meanwhile, maintained a more restrained tone. In a brief post on X, he wrote, “Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.” Behind the scenes, his team expressed disappointment that the meeting had veered so far off course, with one aide calling it “a missed opportunity for both nations.”

The clash reverberated beyond Washington. European leaders quickly rallied behind Zelensky. French President Emmanuel Macron called the Ukrainian leader to reaffirm Paris’s unwavering support, while Polish President Donald Tusk warned that any weakening of US commitment could embolden Russia further.

In Moscow, Kremlin propagandists seized on the incident, framing it as evidence of fracturing Western unity—a narrative that plays directly into Putin’s hands.

For Ukraine, the stakes could not be higher. The minerals deal was seen as a lifeline, promising economic stability and a stronger geopolitical footing. Without it—and with US military aid now in question—Zelensky may need to lean more heavily on European allies, who lack the same financial and military heft as Washington.

Meanwhile, Trump’s insistence on a rapid peace deal raises fears in Kyiv that the US might pressure Ukraine into concessions that favor Russia, such as ceding territory or abandoning its NATO aspirations.

The White House showdown marks a pivotal moment in US-Ukraine relations under Trump’s second term. Analysts suggest that Trump’s transactional approach—prioritizing quick wins over long-term strategy—clashes fundamentally with Zelensky’s focus on securing a durable peace that preserves Ukraine’s independence.

The unsigned minerals deal hangs in the balance, and with it, the prospect of a deeper economic partnership.

In the coming days, Zelensky is expected to huddle with European leaders to shore up support, while Trump’s team may double down on its ultimatum. For now, the world watches as two leaders, each unyielding in their vision, navigate a collision course that could redefine the trajectory of a war—and a partnership—hanging in the balance.

This is a developing story, and further updates will shed light on whether this rupture can be repaired or if it signals a broader shift in the West’s response to Russia’s aggression.