President Donald Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday to immediately finalize a rare earth minerals deal with the United States, a move critical to countering China’s dominance in the sector. Trump also reported that peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are progressing “smoothly.”
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump stated, “Ukraine, headed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has not signed the final papers on the very important Rare Earths Deal with the United States. It is at least three weeks late. Hopefully, it will be signed IMMEDIATELY. Work on the overall Peace Deal between Russia and Ukraine is going smoothly. SUCCESS seems to be in the future!”
The call for urgency follows renewed Russian strikes on Kyiv in recent days, which have heightened tensions and strained the ongoing peace talks. Trump warned that “things will happen” if Russia continues its attacks, signaling potential consequences for future aggression.
Zelensky initially agreed earlier in 2025 to move forward with the minerals deal but has yet to formalize the agreement. During a meeting in the Oval Office last month, Zelensky resisted signing, seeking security guarantees from the United States in exchange. Reports indicate the clash led to a tense exchange involving President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, after which Zelensky conceded and pledged to sign.
The urgency surrounding the deal reflects broader U.S. concerns over rare earth minerals. China recently blocked the export of critical materials, sparking alarms in Washington about the nation’s reliance on foreign sources for manufacturing, defense systems, and advanced technologies. Securing alternative supplies through agreements with countries like Ukraine is now seen as vital to maintaining America’s strategic and economic strength.
Control over rare earth minerals has become a major geopolitical battleground, with the United States aiming to reduce dependence on China, which controls roughly 70% of global production. The Trump administration views securing rare earth resources from reliable partners like Ukraine as essential to safeguarding national security, protecting American manufacturing, and ensuring technological independence for years to come.
