Zelenskyy rejects Trump-led deal with U.S. on minerals

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy blocks Trump-led deal, demands security guarantees, and urges Europe to act independently.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday (February 15, 2025) that he blocked a Donald Trump-led deal that would give the U.S. access to vast amounts of Ukrainian natural resources as it lacked “security guarantees” for Kyiv and “does not protect us”.

“I did not allow ministers to sign the agreement because it is not ready. In my opinion, it does not protect us. It is not ready to protect us, our interests,” Mr. Zelenskyy said during a briefing with reporters in Munich. He added the deal should be “connected with security guarantees” and that “I don’t see this connection in the document yet. It should be clear, it’s important”.

Mr. Zelenskyy on Saturday (February 15, 2025) insisted that no decisions should be taken on ending Russia's war without Kyiv and Europe as the United States pushes to open talks with Moscow.

"No decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine, no decisions about Europe without Europe. Europe must have a seat at the table," Mr. Zelenskyy told the Munich Security Conference.

U.S. President Donald Trump blindsided Ukraine and its European allies by agreeing this week to meet Russia's counterpart Vladimir Putin to start talks on ending the conflict.

Mr. Zelenskyy has urged Washington to come up with a "common plan" to confront Russia but suggested there was no joint stance after a meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Friday.

"We cannot just agree to a ceasefire without real security guarantees, without pressure on Russia, without a system to keep Russia in check," Mr. Zelenskyy said.