Trump acknowledges Russia's invasion of Ukraine and discusses upcoming minerals deal amid ongoing war

In a notable about-face, President Donald Trump acknowledged for the first time that Russia had indeed invaded Ukraine. This marks a departure from his previous remarks on Tuesday, when he suggested that Ukraine "should have never started" the war. Speaking to Fox News radio, Trump stated that the invasion was carried out on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin, but also placed blame on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former President Joe Biden for not averting the conflict. His statement has garnered both praise and criticism, with many questioning his approach to the war and his understanding of the geopolitical situation.

While Trump’s acknowledgment of Russia’s aggression is a significant shift, he continued to suggest that Ukraine should have acted differently to prevent the war from happening. This reversal has added complexity to his stance on foreign policy, particularly as his political position continues to evolve ahead of the upcoming elections.

Alongside his admission about Russia’s invasion, Trump revealed that he anticipates a minerals agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine in the near future. U.S. national security adviser Mike Waltz confirmed that negotiations were underway, and Zelenskyy expressed hope that the deal would lead to a fair resolution. However, the deal has been complicated by ongoing tensions over Ukraine's access to Starlink internet services. U.S. negotiators have reportedly threatened to cut Ukraine’s access to Starlink unless the minerals deal is signed, a move that would severely impact Ukraine’s military operations and its communication infrastructure.

While Zelenskyy and U.S. officials continue to work on the details of the agreement, Ukrainian leadership has made it clear that they cannot agree to the proposed terms demanding substantial repayment for wartime aid in exchange for access to critical resources. These negotiations come as Ukraine navigates a difficult balance between securing foreign support and maintaining sovereignty over its resources.

As diplomatic discussions unfold, the reality on the ground in Ukraine remains grim. On Saturday, a Russian drone attack in Kyiv resulted in the death of a rail worker and property damage in the city. This latest assault adds to a continuing series of Russian strikes across Ukraine. In the Zaporizhzhia region, Russian forces targeted the town of Huliaipole with a guided bomb, injuring three individuals. The escalating violence has placed further strain on Ukrainian civilians, who continue to endure the brunt of the conflict. Despite these challenges, Zelenskyy remains focused on the possibility of peace, urging European leaders to do more to secure a resolution. His calls come as Ukraine and its allies in Europe explore diplomatic avenues for ending the war.

The United States, meanwhile, has proposed a UN resolution calling for a “swift end” to the conflict. However, the proposal has drawn mixed reactions, particularly for its omission of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and its focus on a resolution that does not directly address the issue of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory. This diplomatic move seems to align with Moscow’s interests and has been welcomed by Russia’s ambassador to the UN. The divide between the U.S. and its European allies on the best path forward for Ukraine continues to widen as differing political interests shape the discourse around the war.

Trump’s comments have added further tension to an already strained diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and Europe over the handling of the Ukraine war. While Trump’s administration has placed significant pressure on European leaders, accusing them of not doing enough to end the war, European officials have criticized the U.S. for its lack of clear strategy and diplomacy regarding the conflict’s resolution. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to meet Trump next week, and although he is expected to avoid direct confrontation over Trump’s comments regarding Zelenskyy, tensions between the two leaders are rising.

Meanwhile, a recent proposal from Russia concerning the frozen assets it holds in Europe suggests a potential avenue for negotiation on the reconstruction of Ukraine. Moscow has floated the idea of using $300 billion in sovereign assets, which are currently frozen by European nations, as part of a peace deal. However, Russia has insisted that some of these funds be allocated to the parts of Ukraine currently under Russian control. The U.S. and Russia recently held their first face-to-face talks in Saudi Arabia on February 18, marking the beginning of an exploration into how the war might come to an end.

As these negotiations unfold, the broader geopolitical consequences of the war continue to shape the future of U.S.-European relations. With both sides accusing each other of failing to act decisively, the international community remains divided over the most effective course of action to bring about a lasting peace in Ukraine.