Trump and Zelenskyj are expected to sign mineral agreements

At 17 o'clock, Swedish time, the US president is expected to receive Zelenskyj in the White House. After the meeting, lunch awaits before holding a joint press conference.

This week, representatives of the governments have said that an agreement on Ukrainian minerals and other natural resources is getting closer. Trump has described the agreement as a way for Ukraine to repay the United States for military support that has kept Kiev fluent in the war against Russia for three years.

The agreement is expected to mean that the United States will take part in future deposits in Ukraine. Trump, who in recent weeks has dismissed the idea of ​​sending US soldiers to the country, believes that economic cooperation constitutes a security guarantee in his own right.

« No one will argue when we are there, » he said at the cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Zelenskyj is it Third heavy head of state or government who meets Trump in the White House this week. Both France's Emmanuel Macron and Britain's Keir Starmer have previously visited Washington to discuss Ukraine, Russia and an upcoming ceasefire with the president.

Friday's state visit happens while the relationship between the presidents, at least outward, seems to have become more and more frosty in recent weeks. Trump has accused Zelenskyj of being a dictator who refuses to go to election. A large number of experts have found that the US president's statements sound like an echo of the Russian propaganda, which aims to question Zelenskyj legitimacy as president.

In fact, the Ukrainian Constitution does not allow a choice while a state of war prevails. The Ukrainian president said afterwards that Trump and his co -workers live in a disinformation bubble.

After Thursday's meeting with Starmer, Trump ducked questions about the dictator play.

– Did I say that? I can't imagine I said it.

Then the president said he expects a good meeting with Zeleskyky.

– I have great respect for him.