Zelenskyy's Office explains how minerals deal will impact Trump’s plans for Ukraine talks
Photo: Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Mykhailo Podolyak (Vitalii Nosach / RBC-Ukraine)
A deal on mineral resources between the United States and Ukraine is likely to force US President Donald Trump to change his plans regarding Ukraine. It is unlikely that he would withdraw from negotiations on ending the war after the deal is signed, states Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, in a comment to the RBC-Ukraine YouTube channel.
"There are political, geopolitical motives here, and there will be economic ones as well. If you have a strategic partnership agreement and you have assets or revenues here, you’re not going to hand over this territory to a direct competitor, especially when we're talking about specific sectors like rare earth metals. You’re going to protect the assets that bring you returns," Podolyak explained.
According to the advisor, Trump will remain involved in the negotiation process to end the war in Ukraine also because it is important to him as a leader.
"Trump cannot walk away — he’s a much bigger player than Russia. On the contrary, he wants to secure a dominant position for himself in the global political process," the official noted.
Ukraine–US cooperation
Podolyak added that Ukraine is ready to commercialize certain aspects of its relationship with the US, and this is beneficial not only for Trump but for the United States as a whole.
“Again, this is advantageous not only to Trump from a political standpoint — it also benefits many US manufacturers, including those producing weapons. Obviously, you don’t want to give it away for free, that’s understandable. But we will buy your weapons, because in today’s largest war, this weaponry plays a role in shaping the balance of power in the global arms market,” Podolyak noted.
The advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office emphasized the need to take a rational approach to cooperation with the United States and to insist on what Ukraine specifically needs, while making it clear that Ukraine will undoubtedly maintain a partnership with the US.
Subsoil agreement
Ukraine and the US began discussions on a minerals deal back in February. Since then, both sides have been working on terms that would suit both Kyiv and Washington.
In March, the US presented Ukraine with a new draft of the agreement. The two countries have already held several technical online meetings to discuss the terms of cooperation.
In early April, Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Kyiv had already formulated its position on the deal and was preparing a delegation for negotiations in Washington.
According to RBC-Ukraine sources, Ukraine and the US may sign the minerals deal as early as today, April 30. First Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko is currently in Washington.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed that the minerals deal between Ukraine and the US will be signed within the next 24 hours.
US warnings
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated that the United States may withdraw from the peace process if there are no prospects for a swift agreement between Ukraine and Russia in the near future.
Later, US President Donald Trump confirmed that the US could indeed halt its participation in the negotiations if either side obstructs the path to peace.
Just yesterday, the US State Department warned that it would end its mediation in the negotiations to end the war in Ukraine if no substantial progress is achieved.
