...

Zelenskyy in the United States: Key Points of the Visit

by Roman Cheplyk
Friday, February 28, 2025
4 MIN
Zelenskyy in the United States: Key Points of the Visit
Economy International affairs Legislation Natural environment

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in the United States for a highly anticipated visit that includes meetings with top American lawmakers and, crucially, a scheduled meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss a framework agreement on minerals

Below is a summary of the major agenda items, potential outcomes, and important conversations surrounding the trip.

1. Visit Program

  1. Arrival and Logistics

    • Zelenskyy’s plane landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, following a stopover in Ireland.
    • No official statement detailing the visit was released by the Ukrainian President’s Office, but Ukrainian and international media have shared the trip’s expected outline.

  2. Timeline for Talks

    • The meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump is set to take place around 18:00 Kyiv time. Following the talks, both leaders will participate in a signing ceremony for a minerals framework agreement.
    • A joint press briefing is anticipated soon after the signing.

  3. Further Engagements

    • Zelenskyy is expected to meet with U.S. senators from both major parties.
    • He will also give an interview to Fox News journalist Bret Baier that will air during “Special Report” at 18:00 local time (01:00 Kyiv time on Saturday).

2. Bipartisan Meeting with Senators

  1. Who Will Attend

    • Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who supports ongoing aid to Ukraine, intends to bring together both Republican and Democratic lawmakers for discussions with Zelenskyy.
    • Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal hopes to learn Zelenskyy’s stance on the planned rare earth minerals agreement.

  2. Divergent Perspectives

    • Senator Peter Welch (Democrat) criticizes aspects of the Trump administration’s approach, asserting that the U.S.-Ukraine draft agreement lacks security guarantees.
    • Senator John Cornyn (Republican) defends the potential minerals deal but is concerned about ensuring robust U.S. commitment to Ukraine’s security.

  3. Senate Leadership

    • John Thune, Senate Majority Leader, stated that he does not plan to meet with the Ukrainian President.

3. Meeting with Trump

  1. Context and Significance

    • Zelenskyy will be the third European leader to meet Trump this week, following French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
    • Recent tension arose due to Trump’s past comments—referring to Zelenskyy as a “dictator” and disputing Ukrainian support levels. However, during a meeting with PM Starmer, Trump softened his rhetoric, appearing more open to a constructive dialogue with Zelenskyy.

  2. Agenda Highlights

    • Mineral Extraction Agreement: The main item is the ceremonial signing of the framework deal on subsoil and resources.
    • Security and Aid: Zelenskyy seeks clarity on U.S. support—military, financial, and regarding frozen Russian assets.
    • Possible Peace Prospects: Zelenskyy hopes for a candid exchange about potential U.S. initiatives to end the war with Russia.

  3. Statements from Trump

    • Denied calling Zelenskyy a “dictator,” attributing it to media confusion.
    • Trump emphasized respect for the Ukrainian army’s bravery and reaffirmed that massive U.S. equipment deliveries have helped Ukraine.

4. Signing of the Agreement with the United States

  1. Framework Agreement

    • The ceremony will likely see Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economy or the Foreign Minister sign on behalf of Kyiv.
    • Based on recent statements from officials, the deal no longer includes the initially proposed “full or 100% U.S. ownership” of Ukrainian minerals.

  2. Core Elements

    • Ukrainian Resources Remain under Ukrainian sovereignty—50% of future revenues from resource exploitation will go into a jointly managed fund.
    • The U.S. is expected to contribute monetary assets and critical financing for recovery efforts.
    • All proceeds go into Ukraine’s reconstruction, with potential obligations for further security provisions or expanded cooperation.

  3. Ratification and Next Steps

    • The agreement is considered a “preliminary” or framework pact, with more rigorous work on details to follow.
    • Final ratification would likely occur in the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament), alongside further clarification on U.S. security assurances.

Key Takeaways

  • Focus on Minerals and Reconstruction: The highlight of Zelenskyy’s visit is the agreement on subsoil extraction—with both sides aiming to secure important rare earth minerals while funding Ukraine’s recovery.
  • Bipartisan Diplomatic Effort: Multiple U.S. senators want to gauge Ukraine’s comfort with the arrangement, especially regarding security guarantees and the balance of ownership.
  • Peace Process Discussions: Zelenskyy is expected to broach the possibility of a peace settlement with Russia, seeking the U.S. stance on imposing or maintaining sanctions and deploying frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s defense.
  • Future Collaborations: If successfully signed, the document signifies a significant stride in Ukraine–U.S. economic and strategic relations, pending parliamentary approval and further negotiation.

As the visit unfolds, developments in Zelenskyy’s meetings with Trump and other U.S. leaders will shape Ukraine’s position in the conflict with Russia, the scope of U.S. support, and the path for post-war reconstruction leveraging Ukraine’s vast mineral resources.

roman-cheplyk
Roman Cheplyk
You will be interested