Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Washington on Friday to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, following an agreement on a draft minerals deal.

The visit comes as Kyiv works to maintain U.S. support in its ongoing war with Russia, while Trump presses for a swift resolution to the conflict.

Central to the talks is a proposed minerals deal that could unlock Ukraine’s vast mineral wealth—potentially worth hundreds of billions of dollars—for the U.S. According to one source, the White House initiated the visit, and officials from both sides have recommended signing the agreement. The deal is seen as a way for Trump to recover U.S. investments in Ukraine’s defense.

The meeting follows a war of words between the two leaders. Trump recently branded Zelensky an “unpopular dictator” and called for an immediate peace deal with Russia, warning that Ukraine risks collapse without it. Zelensky hit back, claiming Trump is trapped in a “disinformation bubble.” Despite the friction, a second source indicated Zelensky may also engage with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, though his itinerary remains subject to change.

The White House offered no comment on the visit. With Trump eager to end the war and Ukraine seeking to bolster U.S. support, Friday’s talks could prove a turning point in the two nations’ relationship amid escalating geopolitical stakes. (ILKHA)