Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky is under mounting U.S. pressure to finalize a minerals deal as repayment for past military aid, but he remains hesitant. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged him to follow Russia’s lead, pointing to recent diplomatic progress between Moscow and Washington.
Zelensky had previously floated the idea of granting the U.S. priority access to Ukraine’s natural resources as part of his ‘victory plan.’ However, he refused to sign an initial proposal from President Donald Trump, who called the move a breach of trust. In a Sunday interview, Hegseth stressed the importance of economic cooperation for Ukraine’s future and urged Zelensky to engage in talks.
Meanwhile, Washington and Moscow are working to break the deadlock that defined U.S.-Russia relations under Joe Biden, with both sides optimistic about a diplomatic breakthrough that could hasten the end of the Ukraine conflict. However, Zelensky has condemned Trump’s approach, insisting that Ukraine must be directly involved in any negotiations regarding its future.
The Trump administration has notably shifted its stance on the war, moving away from labeling Russia’s actions as “unprovoked aggression” and acknowledging NATO’s expansion as a factor in escalating tensions. Hegseth argued that this pragmatic approach prioritizes peace over ideological finger-pointing.
Trump has openly criticized Zelensky, calling him a “dictator without elections” due to his refusal to hold a vote under martial law and his decision not to transfer power when his term expired last year. Moscow, for its part, questions Zelensky’s legitimacy and suggests that any treaty signed under his leadership could lack legal standing.
During a press conference, Zelensky rejected a U.S. minerals deal that he claimed would burden Ukraine for generations. He also floated the idea of stepping down in exchange for Ukraine’s immediate NATO membership—an offer NATO members have largely dismissed. As an alternative, he envisions creating a “NATO within Ukraine,” a massive military force of 800,000 troops that he expects Western donors to bankroll.
