White House national security adviser Mike Waltz has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to reconsider negotiations with the U.S. over access to Ukraine’s critical minerals. Zelensky recently rejected a proposal that would grant the U.S. a share of rare earth minerals in exchange for military aid, a deal former President Donald Trump said should reflect the support the U.S. has provided during Ukraine’s war with Russia.
Waltz expressed frustration over Zelensky’s stance, calling his recent remarks about Trump “unacceptable.” The U.S. sees access to Ukraine’s vast deposits of lithium, titanium, and other valuable resources as a long-term security guarantee for Ukraine. However, Zelensky refused, stating, “I can’t sell our state.”
The dispute unfolded as Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, visited Kyiv for discussions. Though Zelensky called the meeting “productive,” a planned press conference was abruptly canceled, reportedly at the request of the U.S. administration. Meanwhile, Trump’s team continues direct talks with Russia, raising concerns in Kyiv. Recent reports suggest the U.S. may not support a UN resolution recognizing Russia as the aggressor in the war.
Trump, who has been in office for a month, has shifted U.S. policy, favoring direct negotiations with Russia to end the war quickly. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently held discussions with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia, agreeing to form negotiation teams. Trump later suggested Zelensky had “started” the war, leading to a heated exchange between the two leaders.
With U.S.-Russia talks progressing, Ukraine is increasingly sidelined from negotiations about its own future. As U.S. Vice President JD Vance put it, “Nothing is off the negotiating table.” The issue for Ukraine is that it isn’t even at the table.
