Trump discusses major economic deals with Putin

(Patria) - US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he and Russian leader Vladimir Putin are discussing "major" economic deals as part of talks to end the war that began with Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, AFP reported.

"I am in serious talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the war, as well as about major economic development transactions that will take place between the United States and Russia. The talks are going very well," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Trump made the announcement after French President Emmanuel Macron joined him at the White House for a conference call with other G7 leaders on the third anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion.

Washington's European allies are trying to react to the sharp shift in US policy since Trump took office last month. After three years of consistent US and European support for Ukraine's fight against Russia, Trump has entered into negotiations with Moscow for a settlement - while it remains unclear how much Ukraine and European countries will be allowed to shape the terms.

Russia is under international sanctions led by the administration of former President Joe Biden in response to its military attack on Ukraine. Punitive measures would have to end, a major victory for Putin, for the potential US-Russian "transactions" that Trump is promoting to continue.

In his post, Trump said he also emphasized to other G7 leaders his goal of getting Ukraine to sign an agreement that would give the United States access to its natural resources in exchange for US support in any peace deal.

"I emphasized the importance of a vital 'Critical Minerals and Rare Earth Minerals Agreement'
between the United States and Ukraine, which we hope will be signed soon," Trump wrote.

"This agreement, which is an 'economic partnership', will ensure that the American people get back tens of billions of dollars and military equipment sent to Ukraine, while also helping the Ukrainian economy grow as this brutal and wild war comes to an end."

The G7 call and Macron's visit to Washington come at a time when Trump has repeatedly questioned his commitment to America's historic alliances, including NATO, which was formed after World War II to defend Western Europe from Soviet expansion.