Ukraine and U.S. Set to Sign Economic Deal Potentially Worth 1 Trillion Dollars

Ukraine and the United States are set to sign a potentially trillion-dollar economic agreement, granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, according to three senior Ukrainian officials, as reported by Voice of America on February 25.

The highly significant deal could be finalized as soon as February 28. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will travel to Washington to sign it.

U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he was aware of the deal and open to signing it alongside Zelenskyy. “I hear that he [Zelenskyy] is coming on Friday [28 February]. Certainly it’s okay with me, if he’d like to, and he would like to sign it together with me. And I understand that’s a big deal, very big deal,” Trump said.

According to one of the Ukrainian officials, Ukraine views the agreement as a crucial step in securing continued U.S. military support, which remains vital for Ukraine’s defense.

Trump, who called it “a very big deal,” suggested its value could reach $1 trillion, though he provided no specific breakdown. “It could be a trillion-dollar deal. It could be whatever, but it’s rare earths and other things,” he added.

Sources say some technical details of the deal are still being finalized. However, a major obstacle—the Trump administration’s proposal to grant the U.S. $500 billion in profits from Ukraine’s rare earth minerals—has reportedly been excluded from the agreement.

Instead, the framework would establish a joint investment fund, with Ukraine committing 50% of future revenues from state-owned natural resources, including minerals, oil, and gas. Officials described the final terms as more favorable for Ukraine, with one source calling it “a positive outcome.”

The deal does not include security guarantees for Ukraine, but one official noted that Zelenskyy and Trump would discuss continued military aid during their potential meeting.

Trump, meanwhile, suggested that Europe would take on a greater share of responsibility for Ukraine’s military support moving forward.

“Europe will be largely responsible for that. I don’t think it [security guarantees for Ukraine] will be a problem, many people want to get involved. I’ve talked to Russia, it doesn’t seem to be a problem for them, I think they understand it,” he told reporters at the White House.

He also expressed confidence that once the agreement is signed, Russia would not attempt to re-invade Ukraine, though he did not elaborate on why he believed this.

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Trump once again claimed that the U.S. has spent $350 billion on Ukraine and emphasized that he expects the American taxpayer to get that money back.

“We’re helping the country through a very very big problem… but the American taxpayer now is going to get their money back plus,” he said.

When asked what Ukraine would receive in return, Trump stated it would get “$350 billion, lots of equipment and military equipment, and the right to fight.” It was unclear, though, if he was referring to previous U.S. military aid.

Despite emphasizing Ukraine’s continued military effort, Trump also suggested that the war could be resolved quickly.

“I spoke with President Putin, I think he wants to settle it and wants to get back to life,” he said, without providing further details.

When asked about the possibility of a European peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, Trump indicated that it would need to be “acceptable to everyone,” including Russia.

He also confirmed that no sanctions on Russia had been lifted but suggested that they could be eased at some point.

Earlier, Russian leader Vladimir Putin expressed willingness to cooperate with the United States on mineral trade, including resources from Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine.