On Sunday, President Donald Trump accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of attempting to withdraw from a rare earth agreement with the United States, warning that such a move would lead to “some problems.”
“I believe Zelenskyy is trying to back out of the rare earth agreement, and if he proceeds with that, he will have some major, major difficulties,” Trump stated to reporters aboard Air Force One. “We established a deal regarding rare earths, and now he’s expressing a desire to renegotiate. He aspires to become a NATO member, but that was never an option for him. He knows that, so if he seeks to renegotiate the deal, he’s in for big trouble.”
Last month, Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine would be ready to finalize a minerals and security agreement with the U.S. at any time, emphasizing that the deal is perceived as a significant step toward enhanced security and strong guarantees.
This statement followed a visit to the White House, where both leaders were expected to finalize an agreement on rare earth minerals. However, the meeting ended poorly, resulting in Zelenskyy leaving without a signed deal.
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Trump informed reporters on Sunday about Zelenskyy’s intentions to back out of a rare earth mineral agreement.
During the discussion with reporters, Trump also mentioned that his administration is making strides toward establishing a ceasefire agreement between Ukraine and Russia.
A reporter inquired whether Trump considered his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin to be at its lowest point.
The President responded negatively, expressing confidence that Putin would honor his commitment to a partial ceasefire and stating that agreements are reached with individuals regardless of personal feelings.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin convenes a meeting with Security Council members via videoconference at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 13, 2024. (Aleksey Babushkin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo)
Trump mentioned that Putin had recently commented on Zelenskyy’s credibility, expressing his displeasure with those remarks. However, Trump expressed optimism regarding future relations with Putin, stating he would not favor imposing secondary tariffs on Russia.
The United States has enacted secondary tariffs on Venezuela, which Trump asserted had led to a “significant impact.”
“You know that many ships just departed and didn’t look back. A lot of them abandoned their cargo. They didn’t want to risk being caught by those tariffs,” Trump explained. “They didn’t want me to witness their presence. Therefore, Venezuela’s experience with secondary tariffs demonstrates how effective they can be; they essentially declare that if you disobey our directives, you cannot operate in the United States, and that’s the core aspect.”
Trump indicated his intent to impose tariffs on all countries uniformly.
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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro delivers an annual address at Teatro Teresa Carreno on January 15, 2025, in Caracas, Venezuela. ((Photo by Jesus Vargas/Getty Images))
“If you examine the history and look at our dealings with Asia, you’ll find that no one else is handling it as fairly and ethically,” Trump remarked. “We will be much more considerate than they have been with us.”
Trump also fielded inquiries regarding the possibility of a third presidential run, insisting earlier in the day that he was “not joking.” Initially, he downplayed the idea but acknowledged that discussions about a third term have arisen.
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US President Donald Trump on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One in Washington, DC, US, on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
He stated that the 2020 election, which he lost to former President Joe Biden, was “entirely rigged,” but he would not claim responsibility for a potential third run.
Trump also claimed that his administration has achieved unprecedented success in its first 100 days.
“I was with some very influential individuals today, and they remarked that they’ve never witnessed a turnaround happen so swiftly,” he said.
As reporters pressed him about the possibility of a third term, Trump rebuffed their inquiries.
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“I prefer not to discuss it,” he told one reporter. “I am not interested in talking about a third term at this time. We have a significant amount of time ahead of us. Nearly four years remain.”
