Tensions between the Trump administration and the Ukrainian government escalated when Ukrainian officials were told that meetings with Trump officials could be canceled if certain demands were not met. Trump viewed President Zelenskyy’s resistance to these demands as unreasonable, especially given the amount of military aid Ukraine had received. Zelenskyy was trying to show flexibility in negotiations to try to convince Trump that Russia was the main obstacle to peace. The situation changed when Putin freed a U.S. teacher, leading to negotiations between the U.S. and Russia to end the war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy met with Trump to discuss this, but was later told he had an hour to sign a document granting the U.S. ownership of half of Ukraine’s rare earth minerals or risk cancellation of meetings with top U.S. officials in Munich. Zelenskyy did not sign the document, saying it didn’t protect Ukraine enough, but further negotiations were expected. The issue of Ukraine joining NATO was a key sticking point in the negotiations, with the U.S. not explicitly stating whether this was on the table. Some U.S. officials, such as Defense Secretary Hegseth, expressed doubts about Ukraine’s NATO membership but later softened their stance. The situation remains tense with the U.S. considering security guarantees for Ukraine as part of a peace deal, and Zelenskyy’s reluctance to agree to certain terms.
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