• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with Trump in Washington after a diplomatic row and deal over rare earth minerals. This comes after U.S. negotiations have begun with Russia over an end to its invasion of Ukraine.
• Trump has called Zelenskyy a “dictator” and questioned NATO’s role in Ukraine, as well as calling for a ceasefire.
• The mineral deal would give the U.S. access to Ukraine’s mineral resources, giving what Trump calls “automatic security” for Ukraine.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is traveling to Washington to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, even after Trump called him a “dictator” and suggested Ukraine could have avoided the war by negotiating with Russia.

The visit comes as Zelenskyy seeks to maintain U.S. support amid shifting American policy, with Trump questioning NATO’s role in Ukraine and pushing for a ceasefire with Russia.

Despite the tensions, the two leaders are expected to discuss a proposed mineral deal that would grant the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earths. Trump has suggested that the deal could help the U.S. recoup some of its financial support to Ukraine, while Zelenskyy sees it as a potential step toward securing long-term security guarantees.

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What does the mineral deal include?

The agreement under discussion would give the U.S. access to Ukraine’s mineral resources, including minerals crucial for defense and technology industries. Trump has suggested that American involvement in extracting these materials could provide “automatic security” for Ukraine, while benefiting the U.S. economy.

Zelenskyy has described the deal as preliminary and insists Ukraine needs firm security guarantees beyond economic investments.

The Ukrainian government formally backed the agreement on Wednesday, Feb. 26, but Zelenskyy has said the final terms will depend on his meeting with Trump.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has suggested the deal could include an investment fund for Ukraine’s reconstruction, though key details remain undisclosed.

How is Trump approaching the war?

Trump has repeatedly signaled a desire to end the war quickly and improve relations with Russia.

He has argued against Ukraine joining NATO, saying the alliance’s expansion contributed to tensions with Russia. He has also suggested that European nations — not the U.S. — should take primary responsibility for Ukraine’s defense.

Recently, U.S. and Russian officials held talks in Saudi Arabia without Ukrainian representatives. Zelenskyy condemned the negotiations, accusing Washington of helping Putin “break out of years of isolation.”

What are the key tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy?

Tensions between the two leaders have escalated in recent weeks, with Trump calling Zelenskyy a “dictator.” Zelenskyy responded, saying Trump was “living in a Russian disinformation space,” and warned that Trump’s outreach to Putin could send a dangerous signal to the world.

Trump administration officials have also pushed Ukraine to finalize the mineral deal, initially proposing that profits be used to reimburse the U.S. for past military aid. Zelenskyy firmly rejected this, arguing that Ukraine does not owe anything, and that framing the deal as repayment would set a dangerous precedent.

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What happens next?

Zelenskyy’s visit is a high-stakes moment in U.S.-Ukraine relations. With Trump shifting toward a more neutral stance on the war, Kyiv and its European allies are working to convince Washington that Putin’s peace overtures lack credibility.

Zelenskyy is also scheduled to meet with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London following his Washington visit.