In a recent interview, former U.S. President Donald Trump made headlines by suggesting that Ukraine “may be Russian someday,” reigniting debates over his approach to ending the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. The comment came as Trump discussed his vision for resolving the three-year-old conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Speaking to Fox News on Monday, Trump floated the idea of a potential deal between Ukraine and Russia, while emphasizing his desire for the U.S. to be compensated for its military and financial support to Kyiv.
“They may make a deal, they may not make a deal. They may be Russian someday, or they may not be Russian someday,” Trump said, leaving the future of Ukraine’s sovereignty open to interpretation.
Trump also reiterated his demand for repayment in the form of rare earth minerals, a critical resource for modern technology. “We’ve poured billions into Ukraine, and I want it back. I told them I want the equivalent of $500 billion in rare earth minerals, and they’ve essentially agreed to that. At least we don’t feel stupid,” he added.
Ukraine, however, appears to be taking a cautious approach. Andriy Yermak, Chief of Staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, confirmed to The Associated Press that Kyiv is open to working with the U.S. on such a deal. Zelenskyy, who is set to meet with U.S. Vice President JD Vance later this week, has been pushing for robust security guarantees from Washington as part of any potential ceasefire agreement with Russia.
Kyiv’s concerns are clear: without concrete military commitments, such as NATO membership or the deployment of peacekeeping forces, any truce could simply provide Moscow with an opportunity to regroup and prepare for future aggression.
Trump’s comments come amid conflicting reports about his diplomatic engagements. Over the weekend, he claimed to have spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though Moscow has yet to confirm any such communication. The Kremlin has instead reiterated that any ceasefire would only be possible on its terms.
Meanwhile, the war shows no signs of abating. Russian forces continue to advance on the front lines in eastern Ukraine, while both sides engage in nightly air assaults targeting critical infrastructure. On Tuesday, a Russian drone and missile strike hit natural gas production facilities in Ukraine’s Poltava region. In response, Ukraine reportedly struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Saratov region, causing a fire at an industrial facility.
As the conflict drags on, Trump’s remarks have sparked both criticism and speculation. While his supporters view his approach as pragmatic, critics argue that his willingness to entertain the idea of Ukraine falling under Russian influence undermines Kyiv’s sovereignty and the broader principles of international security.
The situation remains fluid, with the stakes higher than ever for Ukraine, Russia, and the global community. As diplomatic efforts continue, the world watches closely to see whether a resolution—or further escalation—lies ahead.
