Trump: Ukraine could become Russian one day, Zelensky is expected to meet with JD Vance

In an interview for Fox News broadcast Monday, Trump spoke about the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, stressing the need for a peace agreement.

“They can make a deal, they may not make a deal. They may be Russians one day, or they may not be Russians one day,” said Trump.

He also argued that US aid to Ukraine should bring about an economic return for Washington, proposing an exchange with Kiev's natural resources, including rare minerals.

We are investing billions of dollars there and I want to see a return. I told Ukraine that I want the equivalent of this aid, like $500 billion in rare minerals,” he said, adding that Kiev had agreed to this principle.

Trump has appointed his special envoy, Keith Kellogg, to draft a plan to stop fighting. According to sources near the Ukrainian government, Kellogg is expected to arrive in Ukraine on February 20th, just days before the anniversary of the Russian occupation.

Meanwhile, Zelensky continues to seek strong security guarantees from Washington to prevent a regroupment of Russian forces. He has stressed that the true “and effective security guarantees” are essential for the stability of Ukraine and the whole free world.

The security of our people, our state and economic relations is now being decided,” said Zelensky in a video message.

According to Zelenskyy's spokesman, Sergiy Nikiforov, the Ukrainian president will meet with JD Vance on Friday at the Magnaries of the Munich Security Conference. The US delegation will include Secretary of State Marco Rubio as well as Keith Kellogg.

There are no representatives of the Russian government at the summit, confirmed Christoph Heusgen, chairman of the conference.

Trump has declared he wants to mediate the outcome of the war, but has not yet presented a concrete plan. On the other hand, Russia has demanded that Ukraine withdraw from the southern and eastern regions, while Zelensky has refused any territorial concessions to Moscow.

New York Post reported that Trump had conducted a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the possibility of a ceasefire. According to reports, Putin had expressed a desire to stop the war, but the Kremlin has not confirmed or denied this news.