Trump to meet Zelensky days after calling him a ‘Dictator’
Donald Trump will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, days after calling him a “dictator.” During the visit, the two leaders plan to sign a deal granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare minerals. A senior Ukrainian source told AFP that the agreement would allow joint development of Ukraine’s mineral wealth, with revenues going into a shared Ukraine-U.S. fund.
Zelensky’s delegation also aims to finalize an economic pact with Washington to finance Ukraine’s reconstruction. According to an AP report, this deal will strengthen economic ties and ensure long-term cooperation between both nations.
Trump’s approach to Ukraine shifted recently. Two weeks ago, he changed U.S. policy after a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Reuters, Trump described the call as “lengthy and highly productive,” thanking Putin for his time. However, he did not acknowledge Russia’s role in sending troops into Ukraine.
On Thursday, Russian and U.S. diplomats met in Istanbul to discuss normalizing embassy operations. The meeting followed Trump’s call with Putin and high-level discussions between Russian and U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that these diplomatic efforts stemmed from Trump’s outreach to Putin.
Trump intensified criticism of Zelensky on February 20, calling him a “dictator without elections” and warning that Ukraine might not survive without swift action. However, when reporters questioned him about the statement on Friday, Trump backtracked. “Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that,” he responded at the White House.
Trump’s stance on Zelensky has softened after recent meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. On Thursday, he acknowledged Zelensky’s leadership, saying, “I have a lot of respect for him. We’re going to get along really well.”
The dispute originated from Zelensky’s initial rejection of a U.S. proposal that would grant Washington preferential access to Ukraine’s natural resources, including oil, gas, and rare earth metals. His resistance triggered Trump’s “dictator” remark, escalating tensions before the upcoming meeting.
As the White House prepares for Zelensky’s visit, global leaders are closely watching how Trump navigates U.S.-Ukraine relations. The economic and security agreements signed during this visit could redefine the partnership between the two nations amid ongoing geopolitical challenges.
