National Defense

Ukraine Will Reportedly Take Another Stab At Securing Mineral Deal After Oval Office Blow Up

Screenshot/Fox News/"Special Report with Bret Baier"

Ukrainian envoys are reportedly set to visit the U.S between April 11 and 12 to discuss a new mineral deal, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg Tuesday.

The first mineral deal proposal was tabled after a blowup between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the oval office, which resulted in Zelenskyy’s early dismissal from the White House. However, Zelenskyy and Trump both continued to express interest in signing a deal after the incident, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent describing the first deal as a “win-win” for all parties.

The first deal would have Ukraine contribute 50% of revenues from state-owned mineral resources, including oil and gas, aimed at investing in extraction projects. However, the first deal did not include any security guarantees from the U.S.

Kiev is reportedly holding out for better terms in the deal, which they hope will be more favorable to Ukraine economically, sources told Bloomberg, who preferred anonymity as the negotiations weren’t public knowledge. The meeting will include deputy ministers from Ukraine’s economy and justice ministries.

The Trump administration has been pushing for peace between Russia and Ukraine, as the war continues to rage on three years later. Since the war began in 2022, the U.S. has spent more than $170 billion aiding Ukraine.

Despite the large investment, the frontlines have remained largely stagnant, with neither side taking vast swaths of territory since Ukraine initially repelled Russia’s attack on Kiev in 2022.

The intention behind Zelenskyy’s visit was originally to sign the first mineral deal, but the Ukrainian leader made comments openly criticizing the U.S. for not stopping Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump and Vice President Vance took exception to the comments, which prompted the dust-up.

“You’re gambling with World War III, you’re gambling with World War III and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to this country,” Trump said to Zelenskyy during the altercation.

Trump halted all military aid to Ukraine after Zelenskyy said peace with Russia was “very, very far away” in the fallout from the oval office scuffle. Zelenskyy then changed his tone in reaction to Trump’s aid freeze, floating prisoner exchanges, a halt on air operations and naval operations as potential first steps towards peace.

Ukraine has entered a temporary ceasefire with Russia on commercial shipping vessels in the Black Sea and energy infrastructure, but a general end to hostilities has yet to be agreed upon.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and the State Department did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.