Zelenskyy names his terms for giving up power as US, Ukraine lock in on mineral deal

He also said he did not agree with Trump that Ukraine should pay the U.S. retroactively for the over $100 billion in aid offered since war broke out three years ago on Monday. 

"We agreed with Biden that this was a grant. A grant is not a debt," Zelenskyy said. 

U.S. officials have said NATO membership is off the table for Ukraine at any point in the near future, as Russia would never agree to such terms. 

Despite Zelenskyy's complaints, Trump insisted a new draft mineral deal is "very close," and the deal will be worth $350 billion. 

"It looks like we're getting very close, the deal's being worked on we're getting very close to getting an agreement where we get our money back over a period of time. But it also gives us something that is very beneficial to their economy, to them as a country," Trump told reporters while meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. 

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the U.S. and Ukraine are at the "one-yard line" of a deal. 

"The negotiations have been very constructive, with nearly all key details finalized. We are committed to completing this swiftly to proceed with its signature. We hope both US and UA leaders might sign and endorse it in Washington the soonest to showcase our commitment for decades to come," Olga Stefanishyna, a Ukrainian deputy prime minister, added on X. 

Zelenskyy insisted he would not sign a deal that would cost Ukraine for decades.

"I will not sign what 10 generations of Ukrainians will have to pay back," he said. 

The deal involves offering the U.S. preferential access to hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of Ukraine's rare-earth minerals as payback for past military aid, with no guarantee of future aid. 

"I expect to see a deal signed this week," White House envoy Steve Witkoff said on CNN Sunday. 

"We're funding with no arrangement to pay it back. Alternatively, the Europeans who are most affected by this war were funding the minority share, and they had agreements to pay it back. This agreement is much about repayment for all that we have done on behalf of the Ukrainian people."

Zelenskyy, in turn, said Trump was operating in a "disinformation space," which earned the Ukrainian leader warnings from Vice President JD Vance and national security adviser Mike Waltz to tone down his criticisms.

"I want the same as Donald Trump says he wants - to end the war as soon as possible. I believe he wants and will help us to end it. But the 'peace through strength' tactic should be applied on Russia first and foremost. We are partners and I want him to be on our side," Zelenskyy said.

Ukraine's constitution outlaws holding elections while the nation is operating under martial law, which it has been since February 2022. Elections were originally scheduled for last spring. 

Under the first draft of the mineral deal, the U.S. and Ukraine would split the profits of its minerals 50-50 for up to $500 billion. 

The second draft of the deal, obtained by the New York Times, was even harsher - and would have required Kyiv to give up its minerals, oil and gas revenues and earnings from ports and other infrastructure until reaching $500 billion. 

Zelenskyy said he would not recognize Trump's $500 billion figure, as the assistance Ukraine had received from the U.S. was closer to $100 billion.