U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the progress of negotiations regarding Ukraine, stating that both sides – Russia and Ukraine – are now interested in reaching a peace agreement, although the process remains complicated. He made these remarks in an interview with The New York Times.
“Negotiations reached a deadlock”
Trump noted that negotiations had repeatedly reached deadlocks in the past: sometimes the Kremlin was ready to compromise, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused to sign an agreement, and sometimes vice versa. He added that, in his view, both sides are now willing to negotiate, but the outcome is still uncertain.
The American leader also declined to set any deadlines for the end of the war, emphasizing that his priority is saving human lives. He did not commit to increasing aid to Ukraine if Russia continues to block a ceasefire.
In addition, Trump stated that the United States is ready to participate in future security guarantees for Ukraine, as he does not expect a new Russian invasion.
However, Russia continues to escalate tensions. On the night of January 9, Russia struck Lviv with an “Oreshnik” missile. Lithuania’s Ambassador to Ukraine, Inga Stanaitė-Tolochkėnė, stated that the current escalation of terrorist attacks is a reaction by Russian President Vladimir Putin to peaceful proposals. She emphasized that Putin does not seek Ukraine’s success but instead aims to destroy the country and undermine its sovereignty.
Rare Earth Metals Agreement
The U.S. President also said that the rare earth metals agreement concluded under his administration with Ukraine will allow the United States to recover funds spent on supporting Ukraine. In a comment to Fox News, he referred to previous aid to Ukraine during Joe Biden’s presidency as “$350 billion” and called it a kind of “Biden war,” which he does not consider his own.
Trump claims that the rare earth metals deal is “fair” and will help return U.S. funds spent on Ukraine’s financial support, emphasizing that his main goal is to ensure cost control and the effectiveness of the agreement.
For reference, the corresponding bill was approved by the Ukrainian parliament in July 2025 and signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The law amended Ukraine’s Budget Code to implement the agreement and regulates the procedure for transferring funds to a joint U.S.-Ukraine Recovery Fund.
Earlier reports indicated that additional sanctions against Russia were expected following the signing of this agreement, but they were introduced later and were not directly linked to the rare earth metals deal.
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s position outlines a new U.S. course: prioritizing a ceasefire and financial recovery of aid. The rare earth metals agreement is intended as a mechanism to recoup American investments, shifting the nature of U.S. support for Ukraine from purely allied to a partner-business approach. At the same time, the situation on the frontlines and recent Russian attacks indicate that the path to a genuine peace agreement remains blocked due to the aggressor’s unwillingness to abandon plans to destroy Ukraine’s sovereignty.
