section_path: Background
section_name: Background
paragraph_text: Background
  
  In September 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed U.S. participation in developing Ukraine's natural resources in exchange for continued support in countering Russian aggression. Ukraine possesses significant deposits of minerals, including lithium, graphite, manganese, and titanium ore. Many of these resources remain unexploited, while some deposits are located in territories occupied by Russia.
  
  On 16 October 2024, Zelenskyy put forth his proposed План перемоги ("victory plan") to the Ukrainian parliament which outlined strategies to strengthen Ukraine and potentially end the conflict with Russia. This included a "special agreement on joint investment and use" of Ukraine's natural resources — such as uranium, titanium, and lithium — with the European Union and the United States. The plan also included a renewed request for inclusion in NATO and a robust post-war security framework. The defense aspect of the proposal included assistance in deterring Russian aggression. French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu — under instruction from French President Emmanuel Macron — entered into bilateral discussion with Ukraine on the country's rare earth minerals in October 2024 for the French defense industry.
  
  Following the November election, U.S. President Donald Trump began demanding US$500 billion as compensation from Ukraine to pay back U.S. aid during the war. Zelenskyy said that this would amount to "selling" Ukraine. Trump replied by saying Zelenskyy was "a dictator".
  
  On 3 February 2025, Trump said that continual support from the United States would be conditional on the acquisition of Ukraine's rare minerals. However, this condition was later excluded from the agreement.
  
  During his 24 February 2025, Oval Office meeting with Macron, Trump "incorrectly" complained that the United States had contributed US$350 billion which was a much larger contribution than that of the European Union. Macron sought security guarantees from the Trump administration if a ceasefire with Russia is realized. The Congressional Research Service said that from 2022 to 2024, the appropriation was US$182 billion. Trump's demand for the resources agreement is a way for Ukraine to "pay back" the U.S. aid already provided to Ukraine and is a condition of any ongoing support. On 24 February, Trump said that they were close to an agreement "where we get our money back over a period of time."
  
  On 28 February 2025, Zelenskyy met at the White House in Washington with Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance, for a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office to sign the agreement. The meeting ended abruptly and the Resources Agreement was not signed.
  
  According to The Guardian, on 2 March, Zelenskyy said that the "deal on minerals was now ready to be signed."
  
  Towards the end of Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress on 4 March, Trump sent a message to Zelenskyy that the New York Times described as "conciliatory".