US President Donald Trump said today, during a meeting at the White House with French President Emmanuel Macron, that he hopes the US and Ukraine will soon reach an agreement on rare earth minerals.
Before the official bilateral meeting in the Oval Office began, Macron joined Trump at the White House for a virtual call with leaders of the Group of Seven richest liberal economies to discuss Ukraine, on the third anniversary of the start of Russia's invasion of the country today.
Trump expressed optimism that the White House and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are close to an agreement that would give America access to important and valuable Ukrainian minerals, to pay for more than $180 billion in US aid given to Kiev since the war began in 2022. Ukraine, however, is demanding security guarantees in return as part of any deal.
"It looks like we're very close," Trump told reporters at the start of a bilateral meeting with Macron in the Oval Office.
He added that Zelensky could visit Washington this week or next to sign the agreement.
The Ukrainian government earlier confirmed that negotiations on an agreement that would give Washington access to Ukrainian minerals in exchange for protection, which has been at the heart of tensions between the two countries, are in the final stages.
Trump said the Ukrainian war could be over "in a matter of weeks," while Macron, sitting next to him, urged him to include Kiev in the negotiations.
"I think the war (in Ukraine) could be over quickly, in a few weeks, if we're smart. If we're not smart, it will continue... we don't want that," Trump said, repeating that the conflict could escalate into World War III, which, he added, "I don't want either."
"Ukraine should be included" in talks to end the war, Macron said.
The first talks between the Russians and Americans last week were held in Saudi Arabia, at the level of foreign ministers, without the Ukrainians and Europeans, which caused great concern in Europe.
Asked if he would call Russian President Vladimir Putin a dictator, as he recently described Zelensky, Trump said he does not use those words lightly and that he would "see how everything develops," adding that there was "a chance of a very good agreement" between Ukraine and Russia.
He did not say whether the agreement being negotiated would include US security guarantees.
"Europe will make sure nothing happens," Trump said.
The third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the peace talks come at an uncertain time for much of Europe, which has witnessed a dramatic shift in American foreign policy since the start of Trump's second presidential term.
Macron said at the beginning of the meeting that they needed guarantees for a solid peace.
"This is a very important moment for Europe too," Macron said.
Macron said the Europeans were ready to send troops to ensure that "peace is well respected."
The American president assured him that Putin would accept the presence of European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.
Macron expressed hope for strong American involvement in guaranteeing peace in Ukraine.
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