On March 20, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States expects to sign a crucial agreement with Ukraine regarding access to critical minerals and natural resources in the near future. This comes after a previous plan to sign a deal on February 28 was derailed by a public confrontation between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
During a White House event focused on education, Trump asserted, "We’re doing very well with regard to Ukraine and Russia. And one of the things we are doing is signing a deal very shortly with respect to rare earths with Ukraine." These remarks signal a renewed effort to forge stronger ties with Kyiv as part of the U.S. strategy to secure rare earth minerals, which are vital for technologies such as electronics, batteries, and magnets.
Just moments before announcing this agreement, Trump signed an executive order aimed at ramping up U.S. production of critical minerals. The order invokes emergency powers laid out in the Defense Production Act (DPA), a Korean War-era law that allows the federal government to mobilize industrial resources for national security. Remarking on the significance of this initiative, Trump stated, "It’s a big thing in this country. We’re also signing agreements in various locations to unlock rare earths and minerals all over the world, but particularly in Ukraine.”
This much-anticipated minerals agreement is expected to establish a fund where Ukraine commits 50% of the proceeds from future monetization of its state-owned mineral resources. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt remarked a day prior that the U.S. had “moved beyond” discussions on the minerals deal, focusing instead on achieving a “lasting ceasefire.” She clarified, however, that the deal was not entirely off the table.
Underscoring the strategic importance of this agreement, Zelensky had earlier indicated his government’s readiness to sign the deal while also expressing a desire for Ukraine’s position to be heard following tensions with Trump. Following recent discussions, including talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, both leaders seem more committed to exploring diplomatic resolutions.
Echoing the urgency of the situation, Trump remarked, “They’re dying so unnecessarily. That’s what it is all about.” The ongoing conflict has resulted in heavy casualties, prompting the need for concerted efforts to foster stability through economic agreements.
The final details of the minerals agreement have not been fully disclosed, though it is set to provide a structures investment fund aimed at facilitating the safety and prosperity of Ukraine. The fund will be allocated towards the promotion of resource security, even if it does not guarantee military protection from Russian aggression.
On March 24, U.S. and Ukrainian officials are scheduled to hold further discussions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, aimed at finalizing the terms of this significant deal. This meeting follows a series of calls Trump held with both Zelensky and Putin as part of his diplomatic approach aimed at bridging divides stemming from years of conflict.
Analysts anticipate that the minerals deal could mark a watershed moment in U.S.-Ukraine relations, especially as the Ukrainian administration seeks Western security guarantees as a bulwark against future invasions. Although previous agreements had floundered over key concerns such as military assurances, the current dynamic presents an opportunity for new commitments.
In summary, the anticipated rare earths agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine represents not only a strategic maneuver for resource access but also a potential lifeline for reaffirming relations amid conflict. Geopolitical experts continue to monitor the progress among the involved parties as skepticism surrounds the commitment from Russia to honor ceasefire agreements.
The outcome of the Riyadh talks may ultimately determine the effectiveness of Trump’s plan for stabilizing the region through economic and diplomatic channels, reflective of broader U.S. objectives in reasserting its influence in Eastern Europe.
