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Matt Ford | Kieran Burke
Published February 28, 2025last updated February 28, 2025Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is traveling to Washington on Friday where he is expected to sign a critical minerals deal with the United States. Follow DW for updates.
https://p.dw.com/p/4rAtp
Zelenskyy and Trump last met at Trump Tower in New York in September 2024, a month before Trump’s reelectionImage: Ukraine Presidency/ZUMA/picture allianceSkip next section What you need to knowWhat you need to know President Zelenskyy expected to sign deal in Washington Deal envisages Ukraine handing over mineral wealth in return for continued US support Deal not reported to include US military security guarantees Zelenskyy’s trip follows visits by French President Macron and British Prime Minister Starmer Here are the latest developments relating to Russia’s war in Ukraine on Friday, February 28:
Skip next section Over 200 Russian drones destroyed or disabled overnightFebruary 28, 2025
Over 200 Russian drones destroyed or disabled overnightRussia attacked Ukraine with 208 drones overnight, according to the Ukrainian military.
107 were reportedly shot down by air defense systems while a further 97 disappeared from radar after having been disabled by electronic countermeasures.
The fate of the remaining four is not mentioned.
Even as US President Donald Trump pushes for a ceasefire on what appear likely to be his terms, Russia continues to launch almost nightly aerial assaults on Ukrainian towns and cities.
On Sunday, Kyiv claimed to have fended off the biggest such attack of the three-year invasion so far, reporting the use of 267 Russian drones.
https://p.dw.com/p/4rB29
Skip next section What did UK’s Starmer discuss with Trump? – recapFebruary 28, 2025
What did UK’s Starmer discuss with Trump? – recapPresident Zelenskyy’s trip to Washington comes less than 24 hours after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the White House in an attempt to persuade President Trump to commit to Ukraine’s security.
Starmer has said that the United Kingdom would be prepared to contribute troops to an international coalition to enforce peace in Ukraine in the wake of any ceasefire deal — but only with a “backstop” consisting of US intelligence, logistics and air power.
“We’ve discussed a plan today to reach a peace that is tough and fair, that Ukraine will help shape, [and] that’s backed by strength to stop [Russian President Vladimir] Putin coming back for more,” said Stamer after a meeting with Trump.
“I’m working closely with other European leaders on this and I’m clear that the UK is ready to put boots on the ground and planes in the air to support a deal. Working together with our allies, because that is the only way that peace will last.”
Trump, however, refused to commit to deploying US forces. He insisted that he would “always” help the British “if they need help,” but appeared to believe his minerals deal (see below) and the presence of US “workers” in Ukraine would be enough to appease Putin, in whom he expressed trust.
“I think he’ll keep his word,” he claimed. “I’ve known him for a long time now, and I think he will. I don’t believe he’s going to violate his word. I don’t think he’ll be back when we make a deal. I think the deal is going to hold now.”
Starmer also delivered an invitation to Trump from King Charles III for an “unprecedented” second state visit to the United Kingdom, which the US President accepted.
https://p.dw.com/p/4rAxM
Skip next section What is the Ukraine minerals deal?February 28, 2025
What is the Ukraine minerals deal?President Donald Trump says the deal is aimed at recouping some of the more than $300 billion the United States has spent supporting Ukraine by securing access to profits from the extraction of rare earth minerals
Rare earth metals are minerals and elements such as lithium (used in batteries), lanthanum (used in camera lenses) and cerium (used in catalytic converters). Others include neodymium and praseodymium are in demand for magnets used in electric vehicle motors and wind turbines.
Ukraine estimates that its territory contains about 5% of the world’s “critical raw materials” including 7% of Europe’s titanium. Significant deposits of graphite, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, silver, manganese and cobalt are also present – albeit partly in eastern regions currently occupied by Russia.
Kyiv has long considered using its mineral wealth as a bargaining chip in return for continued US support in its ongoing defense against Russia’s invasion – but the deal set to be signed on Friday reportedly does not include American military security guarantees.
Trump has suggested the very presence of American mining contractors in Ukraine will act as a deterrent to Russian aggression, but has said that any peacekeeping or peace enforcement operation will have to be led by European powers.
https://p.dw.com/p/4rAx9
Skip next section Zelenskyy expected in Washington to sign minerals dealFebruary 28, 2025
Zelenskyy expected in Washington to sign minerals dealMatt Ford | Kieran Burke
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was on Friday headed to Washington where he is expected to put pen to paper on a deal which will see Kyiv hand over billions of dollars’ worth of mineral wealth to the United States.
The deal is part of President Donald Trump’s plan to end the ongoing war with Russia – and recoup some of the billions of dollars spent on military, financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine since being invaded in February 2022.
Zelenskyy hopes the agreement will encourage Trump to maintain support for his forces’ efforts to recapture territory seized by Moscow.
Zelenskyy’s appointment at the White House, his first since President Trump’s return to power, comes hot on the heels of diplomatic visits this week by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as European powers attempt to decipher the United States’ erratic new foreign policy.
https://p.dw.com/p/4rAuY
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