'We're going to get our money back' — Trump on US-Ukraine resources deal
"I want them to give us something for all of the money that we put up," Trump said on Feb. 22. "We're asking for rare earth and oil — anything we can get."
United States
US mineral deal offers no security guarantees for Ukraine, NYT reports
The terms of the revised proposal are virtually the same as those of an earlier version rejected by President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to a draft dated Feb. 21.
'The US wants lasting peace' — Polish FM meets State Secretary Rubio
Sikorski said their meeting was "substantial and cordial" and it "confirmed the durability of the Polish-American alliance," Polish RMF FM reported.
Zelensky, Scholz discuss 'ways to achieve just peace' in Ukraine
The phone call comes amid growing concerns in Kyiv and among European allies about Washington's shifting stance on the war.
US threatens to shut off Starlink if Ukraine won't sign minerals deal, sources tell Reuters
The U.S. first raised the prospect of shutting off Starlink service after Zelensky rejected the deal presented on Feb. 12. Starlink terminals are critical in securing Ukraine's battlefield communications.
US proposes rival UN statement on Ukraine war, clashing with Kyiv, Europe, Reuters reports
The new U.S. resolution mourns the casualties of the "Russia-Ukraine conflict" and "implores a swift end" to hostilities, according to a draft obtained by Reuters.
Trump admits Russia attacked Ukraine
"Russia attacked, but they shouldn't have let him attack," U.S. President Donald Trump said on Feb. 21, after previously blaming Ukraine for starting the war.
US 'pretty close' to minerals deal with Ukraine, Trump claims
"I think (the Ukrainians) want it. They feel good about it, and it's a significant — it's a big deal, but they want it, and it keeps us in that country, and they're very happy about it."
Ukrainian, US officials negotiated throughout the night amid minerals deal dispute, Axios reports
Ukrainian and U.S. officials negotiated a mineral deal all night into the morning on Feb. 21 amid a rift between the two nations over the agreement, Axios reported.
Trump's Ukraine remarks 'shocking,' echo Russian narratives, German opposition leader says
"This is the Russian narrative; this is how Putin has presented it for years, and I'm frankly shocked that Donald Trump has now apparently embraced it himself," German opposition leader and chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz said.
Canada opposes Russia's return to G7, vows to 'stand its ground,' ambassador says
"Canada is not ready for a change in the membership of the G7 and is standing its ground," Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine Natalka Cmoc said.
Zelensky to sign US minerals deal soon, Waltz says
"President Zelensky is going to sign that deal, and you will see that in the very short term," U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said.
Why Ukraine can’t hold elections during wartime
Editor’s Note: This op-ed was first published by the Ukrainian NGO Civil Network OPORA as an open statement, which garnered nearly 300 signatures at the time it was published by the Kyiv Independent. Democracy during wartime must be protected even more than in peacetime, as the consequences of mistakes
Kremlin denies demanding NATO eastern rollback in talks with US
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said this in reaction to an article by the Financial Times claiming that during the talks in Riyadh on Feb. 18, Russian delegates asked for the NATO rollback as a condition for "normalizing relations."
Trump-Putin meeting depends on progress on ending war, Rubio says
"The only way is to test them (Russia), to basically engage them and say, okay, are you serious about ending the war, and if so, what are your demands. Are your public demands and your private demands different?" U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. "It may turn out that they don’t want to end the war."
China backs US-Russia 'consensus' on Ukraine war
Beijing is prepared "to play a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement during the G20 foreign ministers meeting.
US, Russian participants held unofficial talks on Ukraine in Switzerland, Reuters reports
The informal meetings were described as "track two meetings," a type of unofficial diplomacy meant to lower tension, three unnamed sources told Reuters.
Meeting with Kellogg 'restores hope,' Zelensky says
"A meeting that restores hope, and we need strong agreements with America — agreements that will really work," President Volodymyr Zelensky said after meeting with U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg.
Trump administration presents 'improved' minerals draft to Ukraine after Zelensky's rejection, Axios reports
"This is a negotiation. And in a negotiation, you negotiate. Ukraine wants to negotiate minerals, so we're talking about it," a White House official was quoted as saying.
Exploitation or opportunity? Ukrainian business sees potential in Trump resource deal — if done right
Within weeks of U.S. President Donald Trump saying he wanted to do a deal with Kyiv on its “rare earths and other things,” it became clear the U.S. wasn’t just interested in Ukraine’s critical minerals and rare earth elements. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent visited
Moscow demanded NATO withdrawal from eastern Europe during US-Russia talks, FT reports
The U.S. delegation reportedly rejected the demand, but concerns remain over what concessions President Donald Trump might consider to secure a deal on ending war with Russia.
‘We cannot survive’ without foreign weapons, say Ukrainian soldiers fearing looming Trump cuts
A looming dropoff in U.S. weapons deliveries is threatening to strain Ukraine’s budding domestic arms production to the breaking point. As U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration prepares negotiations with their Russian counterparts, Ukrainians fear being cut out of negotiations — and cut off from future U.S.
Zelensky-Kellogg meeting ends with no joint statements at US request, spokesperson says
The meeting in Kyiv was expected to be followed by a press briefing, but Washington requested that no joint statements be made, Zelensky's spokesperson, Serhii Nykyforov, told reporters.
Ukraine needs to 'tone it down,' sign US minerals deal, Waltz says
"They need to tone it down and take a hard look and sign that deal," U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz told Fox News.
US refuses to co-sponsor UN resolution condemning Russia, resists labeling Moscow 'aggressor' in G7 statement, media report
"In previous years, the United States has consistently co-sponsored such resolutions in support of a just peace in Ukraine," a source told Reuters.
Trump may seek simplified resources deal with Ukraine, Reuters reports
The sources told Reuters that Trump wants to make a deal before potentially authorizing more U.S. military aid for Kyiv or moving forward with an attempt to broker formal Ukraine-Russia peace talks.
Russia holds 'the cards' in possible peace talks, Trump says
"I think the Russians want to see the war end, I really do. I think they have the cards a little bit, because they've taken a lot of territory. They have the cards," U.S. President Donald Trump said.
Trump wants to 'resurrect' Ukraine resources deal 'or things are not gonna make (Zelensky) too happy'
"I think I’m gonna resurrect that deal, you know, we'll see what happens, but I’m gonna resurrect it or things are gonna not make him (President Volodymyr Zelensky) too happy," U.S. President Donald Trump said.
European leaders back Zelensky after Trump's accusations
"Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia's merciless war of aggression for almost three years... And it is simply wrong and dangerous to deny President Zelensky's democratic legitimacy," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on X.
Ukraine war latest: Trump calls Zelensky 'dictator,' warns of Ukraine's demise without elections
Key developments on Feb. 19: * Trump calls Zelensky 'dictator,' warns of Ukraine's demise without elections * Reported drone strike against Russian oil refinery in Samara Oblast causes fire * Ukraine refutes Putin's claims of Russian offensive from Kursk Oblast * North Korean troops in Russia reportedly told they're fighting South Korean forces
US-Russia talks are 'the last warning for Europe,' Gabrielius Landsbergis says
Editor's note: The interview has been edited for clarity. Storm clouds are intensifying in Europe as Ukraine approaches the fourth year of the full-scale war with Russia. Initial hopes that U.S. President Donald Trump's new administration might adopt the "peace through strength" approach towards Moscow are beginning to unravel
Vance says Zelensky 'badmouthing' Trump, calls it counterproductive
"The idea that Zelensky is going to change the president's mind by badmouthing him in public media — everyone who knows the president will tell you that is an atrocious way to deal with this administration," U.S. Vice President JD Vance said.
(Updated: )
Most popular
Editors' Picks
‘Neither side wasted time' — Ukraine's economy minister on minerals deal negotiations with Trump’s ‘business-oriented’ administration
Russia increasingly targets Ukraine's cities with cluster munitions, raising civilian toll
As US aid to Ukraine dries up, new platform connects American investors with Ukrainian startups
