Trump warns of ‘big, big problems’ if Zelensky refuses to sign rare elements agreement

US President Donald Trump said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wants to withdraw from the rare earth minerals agreement, and warned him of "big problems" if he does so.

Reuters reports this.

"He's trying to back out of the rare earth deal, and if he does that, he's got some problems, big, big problems," the head of the White House told reporters on Sunday.

At the same time, he mentioned Ukraine's desire to join NATO.

"He wants to be a member of NATO, but he's never going to be a member of NATO. He understands that," Trump said.

On March 28, Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko confirmed that Ukraine had received a new version of the minerals agreement from the United States.

The day before, MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak reported on the new version of the document. Svyrydenko stated that public discussions on the text of this agreement harm the negotiations and "prevent constructive discussion with American partners".

The minister assured that as soon as a consensus is reached, government officials will present a public position to the deputies of the Verkhovna Rada. If necessary, consultations with the parliament on the agreement will also be held.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the agreement to establish a joint investment fund for Ukraine's development and reconstruction with the United States will not incur any debt obligations to the US.

For reference:

According to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, as of February 26, Ukraine and the United States have finalized an agreement on rare earth minerals. Currently titled the "Agreement on Establishing the Rules and Conditions of the Investment Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukraine," this agreement outlines collaborative efforts between the two nations.

However, on February 28, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump could not sign the agreement on subsoil. During a meeting at the White House, the Ukrainian leader argued with his American counterpart Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance about the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Later, Trump said that he had received a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in which he said that he wanted lasting peace and was ready to sit down at the negotiating table as soon as possible.

He quoted Zelensky's earlier post on the X social network. In it, he said that Ukraine was ready to "work quickly" "under the strong leadership" of US President Donald Trump to end the war.

Meanwhile, the United States has proposed a new (no longer a framework) agreement with Ukraine on rare earth metals. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant indicated that Ukraine might finalize a subsoil agreement in the coming days. Additionally, Donald Trump has expressed readiness to intensify sanctions against Russia if needed.

According to media reports, the Trump administration wanted to push for new conditions, including US control over Ukrainian nuclear power plants.

At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the agreement has not yet reached a final version and complained that conditions are constantly changing.

"And it seems that we have already agreed that there will be a framework agreement, and then a full one. Now, the US is proposing to conclude a full agreement immediately. This requires a detailed study," he said.

MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak reported reading a new version of the agreement in which the US proposes that most of the fund's management consist of American representatives (3 out of 5 members). All new investment projects are initially offered to the American side, and any changes require their agreement.

Zhelezniak noted that the text does not mention nuclear power plants or ports, focusing instead on state and private company production. However, the agreement lacks security guarantees from the US.

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