President Donald Trump hosted Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday, Feb. 28, to seal an agreement to hand over rare mineral rights to the United States.
Trump and Zelenskyy met with reporters in the Oval Office and were to hold a signing ceremony and news conference at 1 p.m.
President Trump and Vice President JD Vance reprimanded President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the meeting and told him he was not grateful enough for U.S. support. Trump and Vance also called out Zelenskyy for “gambling with World War III,” the New York Times reported.
Just days before the meeting with Zelenskyy, President Trump had accused Zelenskyy of starting the war in Ukraine and being a dictator. However, after a reporter questioned Trump why he called Zelenskyy a dictator, the New York Times reported that he retracted his statement, “Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that. Next question,” Trump said.
The deal included Ukraine’s contribution of 50% of future proceeds from state-owned mineral resources, oil, and gas to the fund, which will then be invested to improve Ukraine’s prosperity, BBC News reported.
The United States initially requested that Ukraine give over $500 billion of mineral rights. Still, the amount has reportedly dropped, though the agreement’s final draft has not been released.
The meeting between the two world leaders was heated, but Zelenskyy seemed to not want to anger President Trump any further despite his accusations against him. President Trump also defended Putin and refused to acknowledge him as a dictator, yet he falsely accused Zelenskyy of being one.
Tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy continue to rise, and it is unclear if an agreement will be met.
