U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a harsh warning to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky against renegotiating a deal on rare earth minerals with the United States. He tied the deal to Ukraine’s aspiration to join NATO, which he rejected outright. Donald Trump warned that reneging on the deal would result in “big problems” for Zelensky. Further, he spoke of his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, insisting that they have “always gotten along well,” regardless of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Trump Dismisses Ukraine’s NATO Ambitions
Donald Trump also said, speaking to the press on Sunday, that Ukraine’s joining of NATO was never an option. “He wants to be a member of NATO. Well, he was never going to be a member of NATO. He knows that,” Trump said.
He also accused Volodymyr Zelensky of trying to renegotiate a key rare earth agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. The deal gives the U.S. a way into Ukraine’s rare mineral resources for $350 billion, military aid, and “the right to fight on.”
“I see he’s attempting to walk away from the rare earth agreement. And if he does that, he’s got some issues. Big, big issues,” Trump warned, highlighting the dangers of amending the current agreement.
Trump’s Russia Policy and the Ukraine War
Addressing his relationship with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump dismissed concerns about tensions, stating, “I don’t think he’s going to go back on his word. I’ve known him for a long time. We’ve always gotten along well.”
However, Trump also issued a direct warning to Russia. He demanded that Putin cooperate in resolving the Ukraine war or face secondary tariffs on Russian oil.
In an interview, Trump showed annoyance at the way Putin managed the war. “I was furious—angry—when Putin began going after Zelensky’s credibility,” he claimed. He warned that a long conflict could be economically devastating for Russia.
With tensions continuing, Trump’s strong stance on Ukraine and Russia continues to dominate world diplomatic debates.
