United States President Donald Trump has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of attempting to withdraw from a significant rare earth minerals deal. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump stated, “He's trying to back out of the rare earth deal and if he does that he's got some problems. Big, big problems.”

Trump went on to emphasize Ukraine’s long-standing desire to join NATO, saying, “He wants to be a member of NATO, but he's never going to be a member of NATO. He understands that.” The strong remarks have added tension to ongoing negotiations over access to Ukraine’s valuable mineral resources.

Despite Trump's warning, Ukrainian officials are still engaged in the deal process. A senior Ukrainian official told AFP that Ukraine is modifying the draft agreement and intends to submit revised proposals by the end of the week. Discussions with U.S. representatives were held online last Friday, and President Zelensky is expected to be briefed shortly before finalizing the new position.

“Then we will prepare our position and send it to Washington,” the official added, while noting that the deal is still in its early stages. When asked about the terms offered by the U.S., the official remarked, “It's not very clear yet, it's just the initial stage.”

There is speculation among Ukrainian officials that Trump’s warning may have stemmed from a misunderstanding—possibly confusing the NATO issue with the resource deal. Zelensky himself stated last Wednesday that although the U.S. had been “constantly” changing the deal’s terms, Ukraine does not want to give the impression that it opposes the agreement.

The situation remains fluid as both countries weigh strategic interests in rare earth supply chains and geopolitical alignment. With the revised proposal expected soon, the next phase of negotiations will likely determine whether the U.S.–Ukraine minerals partnership can move forward under President Trump’s leadership.