U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at his Mar-a-Lago resort. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
(EPICSTORIAN) — Donald Trump has signaled a shift in US policy on Ukraine, tying the U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal to his insistence that European nations, not Washington, handle the country’s security.
Speaking during his first cabinet meeting since returning to office, he confirmed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s scheduled visit to Washington on Friday to finalize a minerals agreement but dismissed further US security commitments.
“I’m not going to make security guarantees beyond very much,” Trump told reporters. “We’re going to have Europe do that because it’s their neighbor.”
Trump Insists U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal
The ongoing negotiations between the US and Ukraine center on a resource deal involving Ukraine’s mineral wealth.
Initially, the agreement included a US claim to $500 billion in potential revenue, but the terms have been revised.
Trump described it as a “great deal for Ukraine too,” suggesting the economic and strategic partnership would ensure “automatic security.”
He also questioned NATO’s role in the conflict, stating, “You can forget about it. That’s probably the reason the whole thing started.”
Additionally, he referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “smart guy” with “no intention” of ending the war before the US election.
Zelenskyy, who previously raised concerns about the agreement lacking explicit security guarantees, continues to push for “at least one sentence” addressing Ukraine’s defense needs.
Following his US visit, he is set to meet with European leaders in the UK to discuss further security arrangements.
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Trump’s position signals a potential realignment in Western support, shifting security responsibilities from Washington to European allies as Ukraine navigates its ongoing conflict with Russia.
