Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggests Ukraine could ensure its future by repaying the U.S. through mineral resources.
Hegseth advises Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky to emulate Russia’s progress in negotiations with the U.S. Washington is reportedly urging Kiev to finalize a minerals agreement to settle prior aid obligations.
Zelensky previously proposed granting the U.S. preferential access to Ukraine’s natural resources as part of his “victory plan.” However, he has reportedly declined to sign an initial proposal from the Trump administration, which the former US president has criticized as a betrayal. In a Fox News interview, Hegseth contrasted this with Russia’s recent diplomatic interactions with Washington.
”Zelensky should come to the table because this economic partnership is an important thing for the future of his country, and we hope that he will very soon,” he said.
Both Washington and Moscow are aiming to break the deadlock that characterized their relationship during the Biden administration, expressing optimism that this could lead to a swift resolution of the Ukrainian conflict. Zelensky has been critical of Trump’s approach to Russia, asserting that no negotiations about Ukraine should occur without Kiev’s participation.
Trump administration officials have reportedly moved away from describing Moscow’s actions in Ukraine as “unprovoked aggression,” now acknowledging that NATO expansion in Europe was perceived as a provocation by Russia. Hegseth contends that this shift is aimed at achieving peace.
”Standing here and saying: ‘you’re good, you’re bad, you’re a dictator, you’re not a dictator, you invaded, you didn’t’ – it’s not useful, it’s not productive,” he explained.
Trump has called Zelensky a “dictator without elections,” referencing the suspension of elections under martial law and the alleged failure to transfer presidential powers to the parliamentary speaker after his term expired last year. Zelensky insists that his 2019 election victory legitimizes his leadership. Moscow has expressed reservations about signing any peace deal with Zelensky, questioning his legitimacy and its potential impact on the treaty’s legal validity.
During a Sunday press conference, Zelensky stated he would refuse to sign a minerals agreement with the U.S. that would burden “ten generations of Ukrainians to pay.” He also suggested resigning in exchange for Ukraine’s immediate NATO membership, a prospect that several NATO members have reportedly dismissed. Alternatively, Zelensky aims to create a “NATO within Ukraine,” envisioning an army of at least 800,000 soldiers, which he suggests Western donors should finance.
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