Here’s what happened.
President Donald J. Trump is putting America first—again. On Sunday, he made it crystal clear that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may be jeopardizing a critical minerals deal with the United States.
“If Zelenskyy tries to walk away from this deal, he’s going to have big, big problems,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
This key agreement focuses on rare earth minerals, a vital component in U.S. manufacturing, defense technology, and clean energy systems. The deal was designed to cut America’s reliance on China—a major foreign policy win for President Trump.
But now, according to Trump, Zelenskyy is trying to renegotiate.
“He Wants NATO? That Was Never Going to Happen,” Says Trump
Trump didn’t mince words about Zelenskyy’s ambitions either.
“He says he wants NATO. He was never getting NATO, and he knows it,” Trump said. “You don’t get to back out of deals with the United States and expect a warm welcome.”
The warning comes after Zelenskyy previously stated Ukraine was ready to sign a U.S.-Ukraine minerals and security pact, calling it a step toward “long-term guarantees.”
That step, however, hit a wall after a recent visit to Washington reportedly ended with no deal—and Zelenskyy shown the door.
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Trump Eyes Ceasefire Progress Between Russia and Ukraine
While addressing reporters, Trump also spoke about progress toward a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia—under his leadership, not Biden’s.
“Deals happen whether you like people or not,” Trump said when asked about Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Putin says Zelenskyy isn’t credible—and honestly, I’m not happy about that—but I think he’ll stick to the ceasefire.”
Trump dismissed the idea that U.S.-Russia relations were strained, saying instead that strong diplomacy and clear consequences are what get results.
Secondary Tariffs: A Powerful Trump Tool
Trump then reminded reporters of the effectiveness of secondary tariffs, citing Venezuela as a textbook case of deterrence.
“We hit Venezuela with secondary sanctions, and every ship left immediately. Hoses in the ocean—they ran,” Trump said. “That’s how you get respect. That’s how you protect American interests.”
Secondary tariffs prevent foreign entities from doing business with the U.S. if they engage with sanctioned countries. According to Trump, more nations could be next.
“Asia hasn’t been treating us fairly,” he said. “We’re going to be generous—but we’re also going to be smart.”
Third Term Talk? Trump Says He’s Focused on the Now
As speculation swirls about a potential third term, Trump addressed the rumors head-on.
“I’m not looking at that right now,” he said. “But people are talking to me about it. I’ll just say this—the 2020 election was totally rigged.”
Trump emphasized that his current administration has already delivered the best first 100 days of any modern presidency.
“Important people told me today—they’ve never seen such a fast turnaround,” Trump said.
Still, when pressed about a third term, Trump didn’t bite.
“I don’t want to talk about that now,” he said. “We’ve got almost four years left. Let’s focus on making America great again—again.”
🇺🇸 Bottom Line for Americans 50 and Over
President Trump is doing what he does best: protecting American jobs, negotiating tough deals, and restoring strength on the world stage. From rare earth minerals to international trade to defending U.S. elections, he’s delivering results—and not backing down.