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In a significant development, President Donald Trump has stated that Ukraine’s NATO membership aspirations are no longer viable, making these remarks ahead of his scheduled meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House.

The announcement came as Trump expressed his intention to engage in direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to seek a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

While refraining from specifying potential compromises from either side, Trump emphasized his stance on Ukraine’s NATO ambitions. “NATO, you can forget about it,” Trump said. “I think that’s probably the reason the whole thing started.”

During his first Cabinet meeting of his second term, Trump revealed that Zelenskyy’s upcoming White House visit would culminate in the signing of a significant minerals agreement, describing it as “a very big agreement.”

The Republican president has consistently criticized the substantial U.S. financial support to Ukraine during the Russian conflict, particularly under the Democratic administration. The proposed minerals deal would grant the United States access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, essential for aerospace, defense, and nuclear industries, potentially offsetting previous aid expenditure.

“The previous administration put us in a very bad position, but we’ve been able to make a deal where we’re going to get the money back and a lot of money in the future,” Trump said.

Speaking from Kyiv, Zelenskyy acknowledged the economic framework’s progress but noted the absence of crucial U.S. security guarantees. He indicated that comprehensive agreement details would depend on the upcoming Washington discussions.

Trump maintained a reserved stance regarding American security commitments, suggesting European nations should take primary responsibility. He argued that U.S. presence in mineral extraction operations would provide inherent security through American involvement.

The agreement has faced several challenges, with Zelenskyy initially resisting U.S. proposals due to insufficient security assurances and concerns over the $500 billion price tag’s impact on future generations. However, Ukraine views these investments as a way to secure long-term U.S. commitment.

According to the latest agreement draft viewed by The Associated Press, while the U.S. “supports Ukraine’s efforts to obtain security guarantees needed to establish lasting peace,” it doesn’t specify concrete U.S. security commitments.

“This agreement may either be a great success or quietly fade away,” Zelenskyy said. “And I believe success depends on our conversation with President Trump.”

Recent developments include planned diplomatic talks between Russian and U.S. officials in Istanbul regarding embassy operations. Zelenskyy seeks clarity on various issues, including potential changes to U.S. military aid, weapons procurement options, and the possibility of using frozen Russian assets for weapons purchases and investments.

The preliminary economic agreement also outlines the framework for an investment fund dedicated to Ukraine’s reconstruction, as confirmed by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.