Trump Says He’s in Talks With Putin About US–Russia Economic Deal

The U.S. president said the United States could gain access to Russia’s rare earth minerals in a deal similar to one he’s already pursuing with Ukraine.

(Left) U.S. President Donald Trump in the East Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on Feb. 24, 2025; (Right) Russia's President Vladimir Putin gives a speech at the Kremlin in Moscow, on Feb. 23, 2025. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images; Alexander Kazakov/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

On the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump announced he’s had serious discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin about both an economic development agreement between the United States and Russia and ending the war.

As Trump has worked to advance Russia–Ukraine peace talks in recent weeks, he has also sought better relations between Washington and Moscow more generally.