Just four days after meeting President Zelenskyy at Pope Francis’ funeral, the U.S. and Ukraine have finalized a significant new deal.
A brief encounter at Pope Francis’ funeral sparks major geopolitical and economic implications.
Four days after the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting at Pope Francis’ funeral, a major natural resources deal was confirmed between the US and Ukraine.
On April 26, former President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met for 15 minutes at St. Peter’s Basilica.
Soon after, a US-Ukraine minerals agreement was finalized—described as both “historic” and “strategic” by US officials.
Trump-Zelenskyy meeting leads to rare earth minerals deal with Ukraine
Trump later called into NewsNation to clarify the goal behind his brief but impactful sit-down with Zelenskyy in Vatican City.
He explained that the meeting focused on Ukraine’s vast reserves of rare earth minerals and the need to secure US interests.
Trump explained: “I was telling him that it’s a very good thing if we can produce a deal that you sign it, because Russia is much bigger and much stronger. Russia is just chugging forward. It’s a big, strong country.”
A US investment fund will help rebuild Ukraine’s infrastructure
The deal includes the creation of a reconstruction investment fund, spearheaded by the Trump administration.
This fund will allow US firms to partner with Ukraine in rebuilding war-damaged infrastructure and energy systems.
Ukraine keeps control of its resources while sharing future profits
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal emphasized Ukraine’s full control over its natural assets.
Under the deal, profits and royalties from rare earth mineral exports will be split between Ukraine and the US.
To which the president responded: “Well it could. The reason I did that is that we’re in for $350 billion or close to it, whereas Europe is only in it for $100 billion.
“I felt very foolish. You know, they they loaned the money and Biden handed them $350 billion, between cash and military equipment – $350 billion we got nothing.
“And I felt very bullish being the head of the country where Europe gets their money back, and it’s a much smaller amount, and we get nothing.”
Shmyhal assured the public that the agreement benefits Ukraine first, with the US gaining only through new investments.
Trump claims the US has spent billions in aid but lacks returns
When asked about the strategic impact of the deal on Russia, Trump claimed it might deter Vladimir Putin.
He said the US has spent “$350 billion” on Ukraine since 2022, unlike Europe, which he claims has contributed far less.
Official figures contradict Trump’s $350 billion claim. The US State Department lists aid at $182.8 billion.
The Kiel Institute, an independent tracker, reports US support totaling around $119.7 billion.
In contrast, Europe collectively has invested **more** in Ukraine than the US, according to the same institute.
Trump sees Ukraine’s rare earth minerals as a major strategic asset
Trump defended the deal, saying, “They have great rare earth… materials that many countries don’t have.”
He stressed that these rare earth resources are critical to future technologies and defense systems.
The Trump-Zelenskyy meeting may have only lasted 15 minutes, but its outcomes could shape years of US-Ukraine collaboration.
With a rare earth minerals deal in place and an investment fund on the table, both nations now share deep economic ties.
The agreement signals a shift in how the US might engage in **postwar recovery efforts**, focused on resource access and strategic return.