- Trump suggests Ukraine “may be Russian someday.”
- Zelensky seeks strong security guarantees before any deal.
- U.S. envoy to visit Ukraine ahead of war anniversary.
U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that Ukraine “may be Russian someday” as his Vice President, JD Vance, prepares to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later this week.
The remarks, made in an interview with Fox News on Monday, have sparked fresh debate over U.S. policy on the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.
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“They may make a deal, they may not make a deal. They may be Russian someday, or they may not be Russian someday,” Trump said, referencing the nearly three-year conflict.
Trump also emphasized the need for the U.S. to see a return on its financial support for Ukraine, proposing that aid be exchanged for the country’s natural resources.
“We are going to have all this money in there, and I say I want it back. And I told them that I want the equivalent, like $500 billion worth of rare earth,” he stated, claiming that Ukraine had “essentially agreed” to the arrangement.
The former president also confirmed that his special envoy, Keith Kellogg, will soon be sent to Ukraine to develop a proposal to halt the fighting.
Trump has repeatedly called for a swift end to the war, while Zelensky insists that Ukraine needs strong security guarantees before negotiating with Russia.
Concerns Over Security Guarantees
Zelensky’s office has confirmed that he will meet with Vice President Vance this Friday on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
Meanwhile, Kellogg is expected to visit Ukraine on February 20, just days before the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Kyiv remains concerned that any peace deal without firm military commitments, such as NATO membership or peacekeeping troops, would allow Russia to regroup and launch future attacks.
The Kremlin has repeatedly demanded that Ukraine surrender large portions of its southern and eastern regions, while Ukraine has rejected any territorial concessions.
On Monday, Zelensky reiterated his call for “real peace and effective security guarantees” in a video address. “Security of people, security of our state, security of economic relations, and, of course, our resource sustainability: not only for Ukraine but for the entire free world,” he said.
Trump’s Position and Putin’s Role
Trump has expressed a desire to broker peace but has not presented a clear plan to bring Ukraine and Russia to the negotiating table.
Both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin have previously ruled out direct talks, making a diplomatic resolution difficult.
Over the weekend, Trump claimed in an interview with the New York Post that he had spoken to Putin about ending the war, stating that the Russian leader told him he “wants to see people stop dying.” However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to confirm or deny the conversation.
With the war intensifying, Russia has continued advancing in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, capturing several settlements in recent months.
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Moscow has also ramped up airstrikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leading to emergency power restrictions across the country.
As tensions escalate, the upcoming meetings between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Munich could play a key role in shaping the next phase of the war.
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