Trump issues Zelensky ultimatum over rare earth deal snub

President Donald Trump issued Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky an ultimatum regarding his “resurrection” of the rare earths deal, according to Forbes Breaking News.

Newsweek reached out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine for comment via email.

Why It Matters

Trump’s statement about resurrecting the rare earths deal comes as tensions between himself and Zelensky have risen, as the U.S. and Russia held peace talks without Ukraine in Saudi Arabia, and the president called Zelensky a “dictator without elections.”

Pushing for a deal that Ukraine may not agree to could delay the progression of peace negotiations, drawing out the war.

What To Know

Speaking to journalists about the potential rare earth materials deal with Ukraine, Trump said on board Air Force One on Wednesday, “I think I’m gonna resurrect it. You know, we’ll see what happens, but I’m gonna resurrect it or things are gonna not make him too happy. And look, it’s time for elections, haven’t had an election in a long time.”

He added that the U.S. is “doing very well with Russia” and that the U.S. is “going to do something with Russia,” adding that a deal can be made with Moscow to “stop the killing of potentially additional millions of people. Soldiers are being just wiped out on both sides.”

The president also alleged that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who presented the agreement to Ukraine during a visit to Kyiv, was treated “rather rudely” as Zelensky was not available to see him, and that he “went there to get a document signed, and when he got there, he came back empty. They wouldn’t sign the document.”

This statement comes after Zelensky rejected the agreement, which sought to give American companies 50 percent ownership of Ukraine’s rare earth mineral deposits.

Trump had recently been pushing the deal and previously stated that he wants “the equivalent of $500 billion of rare earth” in return for the continued provision of aid by the U.S.

The Ukrainian president rejected the deal because he argued that it “is not ready to protect us, our interest,” providing no security guarantees.

Zelensky has since instructed his team to work on crafting a counterproposal to Trump’s rare earths deal that includes explicit security guarantees, while still allowing the U.S. access to its mineral deposits.

What People Are Saying

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Oleg Kostour, the founder of Couple App, wrote: “Trump looked at what Biden did to Poroshenko, and basically said, let’s try that. When you show weakness, they always come back for more. Good on Zelensky for standing up for Ukrainian interests and rejecting the deal.”

Zelensky wrote on X: “A lot of meetings and briefings—military command, intelligence, ministers—all in preparation for talks with President Trump’s representative, General Kellogg, who is already in Kyiv. Our meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, and it is crucial that this discussion—and our overall cooperation with the U.S.—remains constructive. Together with America and Europe, peace can be more secure, and that is our goal. But most importantly, this goal must be shared by our partners, not just by us.”

Lieutenant Colonel Reagan, a retired army member, wrote on X: “Zelensky rejects U.S. offer of critical minerals like lithium and uranium for aid! His greed jeopardizes NATO’s security! #WakeUpUkraine.”

What Happens Next

Two sources familiar with the situation regarding the rare earths deal with Ukraine told Reuters that the Trump administration may pursue a streamlined, simpler deal with Kyiv initially to get a pact in place. The president’s special envoy to Russia and Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, is in Kyiv this week to discuss the agreement with Ukraine, and what they need in order to sign it.