Donald Trump ‘unlikely to sign Ukraine minerals deal’ – as Starmer urged to seize Russian assets to fund war effort
DONALD Trump is reportedly not currently planning to sign a minerals deal with Ukraine today, a top US official revealed.
Reports from The White House earlier suggested the US President was ready to sign the controversial "rare earths" deal and announce the huge political move during his address to Congress.
However, his US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News on Tuesday there was “no signing planned”.
It comes after the US President paused military aid to the country on Tuesday night - cutting Ukraine off from its single biggest benefactor.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has since been urged to seize Russian assets to fund the Ukraine war effort - as the Defence secretary jets to the US for urgent talks.
The British government is having to consider “all options” to seize frozen Russian assets after former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urged stronger action to support Ukraine.
Mr Sunak warned that the US decision to pause military aid to Kyiv underscored the need for Europe to find “considerably more resources” to assist Ukraine.
Speaking in the House of Commons, he argued: “Events overnight make it even clearer that Europe must find considerably more resources for Ukraine.
“The Chancellor (Rachel Reeves) has rightly continued our policy of using the interest on frozen Russian state assets to benefit Ukraine, but I believe now is the moment to go further and to actually seize those assets.
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine violates the principle of sovereign equality providing a basis in international law for this and by acting in concert with our allies we can ensure there are no risks to financial stability.
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“So can I urge the Chancellor to push for co-ordinated action to seize those frozen Russian state assets, give that money to the Ukrainians so that they can defend their country and rebuild it too?”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledged the complexity of such a move but stressed that Russia must be held accountable.
“As the Prime Minister said yesterday, we would look at going further but as (Mr Sunak) knows it is incredibly complicated to do that in line with international law, but we keep all options on the table because (Mr Sunak) is absolutely right, Russia should pay for the damage that Russia has caused,” she said.
The call to seize frozen Russian assets, estimated at around $300 billion across Europe, comes as Germany and France explore ways to use €200 billion (£165 billion) of those funds as leverage in ceasefire negotiations.
Meanwhile Defence Secretary John Healey is expected to visit the US later on this week for crunch talks with his counterpart, Pete Hegseth.
Late on Monday, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he had a "good" phone conversation with US secretary of state Marco Rubio, having juggled discussions on both Ukraine and the ceasefire in Gaza.
He posted on X: "The UK-US alliance is critical for global security.
"We are working together to deliver enduring peace in Ukraine and to ensure the ceasefire in Gaza is sustained."
Meanwhile Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is ready to work "under Donald Trump" and shared that he "regrets" his brutal Oval Office row with the President.
The brave Ukrainian leader has also shared how he thinks fighting with Russia could come to an end and the sides could reach the negotiating table.
Zelensky said on Tuesday afternoon in a post on social media that he is willing to work "under President Trump's strong leadership to get a peace that lasts".
He said: "None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer."
Zelensky appears to have bent to Trump's will - who has demanded that Kyiv follow his lead on getting to peace.
It follows the two leaders' shouting match in the Oval Office on Friday where Trump told Zelensky he was "gambling with World War Three" before booting him out.
In the post, Zelensky addressed the meeting directly saying it was "regrettable" how it happrned.
He said: "Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be."
Zelensky continued: "We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence.
"And we remember the moment when things changed when President Trump provided Ukraine with Javelins. We are grateful for this."
The Ukrainian also laid out his own plan to get to a ceasefire and get the parties to the negotiating table.
He said: "We are ready to work fast to end the war, and the first stages could be the release of prisoners and truce in the sky — ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on energy and other civilian infrastructure — and truce in the sea immediately, if Russia will do the same.
"Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the US to agree a strong final deal."
Europe announced a massive rearmament package to build up its armies and to support Kyiv.
The EU is preparing to allow its 27 member states to spend another 800bn Euros of additional defence spending.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen declared in Brussels on Tuesday: “a new era is upon us”.
She said: “Europe faces a clear and present danger on a scale that none of us has seen in our adult lifetime.”
Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko has begged Zelensky to apologise to Trump following their Oval Office bust up on Friday.
He said Trump's decision was "catastrophic" and Zelensky needed to do "everything he can in order to get out of this".
Trump has continued to slam Zelensky, saying on Monday he needed to be "more appreciative" for US support.
The President also revealed the "great deal" is still on the table after it was never inked when Trump booted Zelensky out of the White House.
On Monday, Sir Keir Starmer said the minerals deal was not enough of a security guarantee on its own for Kyiv.
He told Parliament that the US still needed to provide a backstop to any European force of peacekeepers in the country.
Sir Keir told MPs Britain needs to "lead from the front" and that the European "coalition of the willing" has been formed to avoid moving "at the speed of the most reluctant and that will be too slow".
Meanwhile the Kremlin is crowing that the "West is falling apart" as it celebrates the "fragmentation" of the Nato alliance.
Moscow's victory lap comes as a Russian missile blitz on a Ukrainian training base has killed dozens.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Zelensky of having "no diplomatic abilities whatsoever" following the White House shouting row.
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Peskov slammed Zelensky as a blind man who was failing to "accept the realities on the ground".
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JD Vance sparks fury with Ukraine jibe - here's how the world reacted
JD Vance sparks fury with Ukraine jibe, here’s how Europe reactedTrump’s ‘America First’ beliefs mean Europe has to stand on its own
The house of illusions has collapsed. The politics of fantasy are over.
For decades, the ruling elites of Britain and Europe have lived in a cocoon of irresponsibility.
They contracted out the defence of their realm to the US, while they postured on the global stage as green saviours of the planet and imposed their cherished theories about open borders and multi-culturalism.
We are paying a terrible price for this decadence, as social solidarity breaks down and national identities are eroded.
Ours has been the age of make-believe economics in which essential industries are neglected but vast sums of taxpayers’ money are squandered on lavish benefit systems and bloated state bureaucracies.
In his dramatic rejection of traditional US foreign policy, President Donald Trump has made clear that he has no interest in paying for Europe’s defence any longer.
The protection of US manufacturing through tariffs is of far more concern to him than the protection of European territory through military support.
Indeed, so many of the assumptions about Western co-operation have now crumbled.
Trump’s belief in “America First” is a wrecking ball aimed at the transatlantic alliance that governed strategy since the end of the Second World War.
Similarly, after the row over whether or not Vice-President JD Vance had Britain in mind when he sneered about “a random country that has not fought a war for 30 or 40 years,” the special relationship now looks to be on life-support.
Trump will reportedly not sign the minerals deal with Ukraine today
Reporters from earlier today hinted that the President would sign the controversial "rare earths" deal with Ukraine and announce it to Congress.
The US President is set to address the chamber at around 2am UK time (9pm ET).
This deal was supposed to be signed on Friday but Zelenksy was kicked out of The White House by Trump before the two leaders could get to it.
Now, his US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News there was “no signing planned”.
Europe to "keep calm and carry on"
Poland's proud President Donald Tusk has called on his fellow European leaders to stick to the age old mantra of "keep calm and carry on".
It comes amid heightened tensions over the relationship of the continent with its US allies as Donald Trump continues to view Ukraine as an unwinnable war.
Credit: X Zelensky speaks to Starmer on peace
The Ukrainian president has again spoke with Sir Keir Starmer as the two look to rescue Zelensky's relationship with the US and find a fair peace resolution.
Zelensky took to X after their chat to say: "I spoke with UK Prime Minister@Keir_Starmer. We discussed the current developments and exchanged views on the next steps.
"We are coordinating our positions and doing everything to achieve guaranteed peace as soon as possible and bring an end to this war.
"Peace is needed for all of us. A just peace with clear security guarantees.
"Together with the leadership of the United States and all of Europe, this is absolutely achievable.
"I am grateful for the advice and support during this challenging time.
"We will always remember everything the British people have done for Ukrainians and our shared security."
Credit: Alamy David Lammy speaks to European counterparts
Foreign Secretary David Lammy spoke to counterparts in France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain and the EU about Ukraine on Tuesday.
He reflected on the meeting with a post on X which read: “Our determination to work with the US to deliver a just and lasting peace in Ukraine remains clear.
“Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security. We will step up and we are stepping up – together.”
Credit: Rex Ukrainian war medics ask Trump: ‘Should WE wear a suit’?
Hero surgeons on Ukraine's frontline have mocked their US critics by asking “should we wear a suit?”
Frontline docs hit back after President Zelensky was accused of disrespecting America by wearing combat fatigues to the White House.
After saving a soldier's life in a field hospital, army surgeon Captain Serhii asked: “Do they think we should wear suits too?”
Moments earlier The Sun had watched as Serhii was forced to push his gloved hands into a groaning soldier's shrapnel wounds to pull out shards of metal and melted plastic.
His comments reveal widespread fury at the way Ukraine has been treated by President Trump.
The MAGA leader greeted Zelensky outside the White House last week by jeering: “You’re all dressed up today”.
Later a pro-Trump journalist asked: “Do you even own a suit?”
Nadiia, a nurse in Serhii’s team, fumed: “Our people are dying and they are asking us about suits.”
Zelensky's X post in full
"I would like to reiterate Ukraine's commitment to peace.
"None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians.
"My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump's strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.
"We are ready to work fast to end the war, and the first stages could be the release of prisoners and truce in the sky - ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on energy and other civilian infrastructure - and truce in the sea immediately, if Russia will do the same.
"Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the US to agree a strong final deal. We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence. And we remember the moment when things changed when President Trump provided Ukraine with Javelins. We are grateful for this.
"Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be. It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.
"Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it in any time and in any convenient format. We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively."
US-Ukraine minerals deal may be signed tonight
The Trump administration expects to get the US-Ukraine minerals deal over the line tonight, according to sources.
President Donald Trump has told his advisers he wants to announce the signed agreement in his address to Congress this evening, three of the sources told Reuters.
They made it clear a deal has not yet been signed by Ukraine.
Inside Zelensky's 'plan for peace'
Starmer welcomes Zelensky's 'steadfast commitment to securing peace' - Downing Street
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's “steadfast commitment to securing peace” in a call with the Ukrainian leader, Downing Street has said.
It comes after Zelensky took to X to share his readiness to work "under Donald Trump".
He also said he "regrets" his brutal Oval Office row with the President - but stopped short of an apology.
Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump got into a shouting match in the Oval Office on Friday Ukraine 'ready to sign minerals deal'
Zelensky also said that he is willing to sign the minerals deal that was due to be inked at the White House on Friday but when unsigned after he was booted out.
Trump on Monday said he would still be willing to sign the "great deal".
The Ukrainian president wrote on X: "We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence.
"And we remember the moment when things changed when President Trump provided Ukraine with Javelins. We are grateful for this."
He added that Ukraine is "ready" to sign the US-proposed minerals deal.
Zelensky suggests first stages of ending devastating war in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Zelensky has shared what the first stages in ending the war could include.
He said on X: "The release of prisoners and truce in the sky — ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on energy and other civilian infrastructure — and truce in the sea immediately, if Russia will do the same.
"Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the US to agree a strong final deal."
Hungarian prime minister had phone call with Trump discussing 'everything'
Viktor Orban had a phone call with President Trump to talk about "everything," he revealed.
The Hungarian prime minister has maintained a good relationship with the Republican.
He has also been accused of being mad Vladimir Putin's closest European ally.
Mr Orban hasn't held back in praising the recent US-Russia peace talks which Ukraine had been left out of.
The leader said he would meet with French President Macron to discuss Ukraine on Wednesday - ahead of a summit of European Union leaders planned for Thursday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban shake hands during a meeting in Moscow last yearCredit: AP Zelensky dubs Trump showdown 'regrettable' and says Ukraine is ready to work fast to end war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he regrets his explosive exchange with Donald Trump in the Oval Office last week.
He said on X: "Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be.
"It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right."
He repeated Ukraine's "commitment to peace," adding that "none of us wants an endless war".
Zelensky continued: "Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer.
"Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.
"We are ready to work fast to end the war."
US President Donald Trump clashed with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in front of the world's pressCredit: AFP
US is - and will 'continue to be' - the UK's closest defence partner, chancellor says
The UK's Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said the US is - and will continue to be - the closest partner with the UK on defence and security.
She also said there is a "recognition across" the continent that "we must step up" to ensure the "collective defence" of Europe.
The Chancellor added how she wanted to speed up the delivery of defence equipment, as well as the procurement.
Earlier we reported that the UK government is considering “all options” to seize frozen Russian assets after former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urged stronger action to support Ukraine.
Mr Sunak warned that the US decision to pause military aid to Kyiv underscored the need for Europe to find “considerably more resources” to assist Ukraine.
Speaking in the House of Commons, he argued: “Events overnight make it even clearer that Europe must find considerably more resources for Ukraine.
“The Chancellor (Rachel Reeves) has rightly continued our policy of using the interest on frozen Russian state assets to benefit Ukraine, but I believe now is the moment to go further and to actually seize those assets."
Chancellor Reeves acknowledged the complexity of such a move but stressed that Russia must be held accountable.
“As the Prime Minister said yesterday, we would look at going further but as (Mr Sunak) knows it is incredibly complicated to do that in line with international law, but we keep all options on the table because (Mr Sunak) is absolutely right, Russia should pay for the damage that Russia has caused,” she said.
The call to seize frozen Russian assets, estimated at around $300 billion across Europe, comes as Germany and France explore ways to use €200 billion (£165 billion) of those funds as leverage in ceasefire negotiations.
French Prime Minister to rally 'all possible means' to help devastated Ukraine
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said his country will seek to rally "all possible means" to help Ukraine after the world was left stunned by America freezing military aid to Kyiv.
Mr Bayrou also described the dire situation on the ground, with US military aid already "coming to a halt, as entire trains that were loaded for Ukraine are being stopped and prevented from reaching their destination".
Meanwhile French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Zelensky's country was the "first line of defence for Europe and for France".
And, echoing other European officials, he added that it was time for the continent to stop its dependency on American weapons.
Mr Barrot said: "We Europeans are now faced with a choice that is imposed on us: that of effort and freedom, or that of comfort and servitude."
Foreign Secretary to speak with EU leaders about Trump's Ukraine aid pause
David Lammy is to speak with European foreign ministers this afternoon as the continent plots a response to Trump's Ukraine aid pause.
The British Foreign Secretary will speak to France, Germany, Poland, Spain and Italy in a meeting of the Weimar+ group.
This was launched last month in response to President Trump's inauguration.
Despite the meeting being pre-planned - before Trump made the shock announcement - the aid pause will now dominate discussion, especially the way in which Europe responds.
In pictures: Putin launches major overnight blitz in Odesa
As the world was left stunned by America freezing military aid to Kyiv, tyrant Vladimir Putin's forces did anything but stop its brutal assault on Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Air Force earlier reported that Russia launched 99 drones into the country overnight.
The following images show the destruction across the southern city of Odesa:
Credit: Reuters 
Credit: Reuters 
Credit: Reuters 
Credit: Reuters French far-right shred Trump on aid pause
Marine Le Pen, France's far-right firebrand, has shredded Donald Trump for his "brutality" in pausing military aid to Ukraine.
She told : "It's very cruel for Ukrainian soldiers engaged in a patriotic defence of their country."
Le Pen's comments are remarkable as the great rival of President Emmanuel Macron had been pro-Russian and reportedly had close ties to the Kremlin.
She said: "No one can force the United States to continue its support if it no longer wishes to do so. But it is highly questionable not to give Ukraine a reasonable amount of time to turn around.
"Stopping arms supplies is less problematic because they can be replaced than stopping intelligence and technological and digital support.
"We are seeing the consequences of Europe’s digital submission to the United States."
Humanitarian work continues despite military cut
Lorry drivers are risking Russian drone and missile attacks to deliver surplus NHS supplies to civilians in harm's way.
A new partnership has launched today to deliver the medical aid to Ukrainian civilians despite Donald Trump's cut to the military aid which protects the country.
Mighty Convoy has teamed up with the Christian Medical Association of Ukraine and the International Christian Medical and Dental Association to help the drivers.
Mighty Convoy has already delivered 44 ambulances, 4x4s, and pick-up trucks to Ukraine as part of 11 convoys.
Simon Brake, Founder of Might Convoy, said: “Every day, the need in Ukraine is enormous, and the harsh winter is only making things worse.
"With help from our supporters, and this partnership, Mighty Convoy can continue to use our transport expertise and volunteer drivers to get supplies from the warehouse to where they are urgently needed.
"We are more powerful together. If people get involved, more lives can now be saved.”
UK considering ‘all options’ as Sunak demands that Russian assets be seized
The UK government is considering "all options" to seize frozen Russian assets after former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urged stronger action to support Ukraine.
Mr Sunak warned that the US decision to pause military aid to Kyiv underscored the need for Europe to find "considerably more resources" to assist Ukraine.
Speaking in the House of Commons, he argued: “Events overnight make it even clearer that Europe must find considerably more resources for Ukraine.
“The Chancellor (Rachel Reeves) has rightly continued our policy of using the interest on frozen Russian state assets to benefit Ukraine, but I believe now is the moment to go further and to actually seize those assets.
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine violates the principle of sovereign equality providing a basis in international law for this and by acting in concert with our allies we can ensure there are no risks to financial stability.
“So can I urge the Chancellor to push for co-ordinated action to seize those frozen Russian state assets, give that money to the Ukrainians so that they can defend their country and rebuild it too?”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledged the complexity of such a move but stressed that Russia must be held accountable.
“As the Prime Minister said yesterday, we would look at going further but as (Mr Sunak) knows it is incredibly complicated to do that in line with international law, but we keep all options on the table because (Mr Sunak) is absolutely right, Russia should pay for the damage that Russia has caused,” she said.
The call to seize frozen Russian assets, estimated at around $300 billion across Europe, comes as Germany and France explore ways to use €200 billion (£165 billion) of those funds as leverage in ceasefire negotiations.
Can Europe fill America's gap?
Trump has repeatedly claimed that the US has spent $300–$350 billion on Ukraine aid — far more than Europe.
But fact-checks suggest this is wildly exaggerated.
The Kiel Institute, which tracks global Ukraine aid, says the real US spending is $119.7 billion — far below Trump’s claim.
Even the widest possible estimate of US spending, including training and replenishment of stockpiles, reaches only $182.8 billion.
Meanwhile, Europe has actually provided more aid than the US.
According to the Kiel Institute, from January 2022 to December 2024, Europe spent $138.7 billion on Ukraine—outpacing the US total of $119.7 billion.
The UK remains Ukraine’s third-biggest backer behind the US and Germany, with its latest package being a $2.8 billion (£2.26 billion) loan signed on March 1.
But the big question now is: if the US stops its support entirely, can Europe step up fast enough to keep Ukraine in the fight?
Former British Army officer Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon told The Sun: "The European NATO countries, militarily, on their own, vastly over matched the Russians.
"And we need to flex that muscle rather than sort of hold back, because in this type of conflict, you've got to go all in."
Read more about it by clicking here
Credit: Reuters Finland: Trump's Russia pivot 'unlikely to end Ukraine war'
Finland's foreign minister has warned that Trump's shift toward Russia is unlikely to bring peace in Ukraine.
Elina Valtonen admitted she was "a little bit concerned" over a recent US order to pause offensive cyber operations against Russia while negotiations continue.
Speaking in a meeting at the Chatham House think tank, she said: "This is probably part of the grand strategy that the White House has chosen to see if this course of action can lead to peace, effectively appeasing Russia and putting some pressure on Ukraine.
"In my personal view, it should be exactly the other way around, and I trust that Trump and his team will notice in due course that this probably doesn't work."
Ukrainian soldiers warn of dire consequences as US Aid stalls
Ukrainian soldiers have sounded the alarm over the potential consequences of America pausing military aid.
They warned that the cost will be measured in "lives and suffering".
One female soldier, 25, admitted it's "very hard to say" how long Ukraine can hold out without US support.
“Looking purely at the numbers, probably not very long,” she told the .
"So, if we apply cold logic and calculations, I don’t think we could hold out for long without aid, but Ukrainians still don’t fully realise how strong, powerful, and inventive we are.
"The real cost of the US cutting off aid will be measured in lives, in more orphans, in more suffering."
Meanwhile, a 31-year-old grenade launcher commander stationed in Russia’s Kursk region appeared unfased by the aid freeze, insisting they can “keep pressuring them indefinitely.”
“We all know that the resources of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are limitless. So if needed, we’ll keep hitting them as long as necessary,” he said.
A damaged residential building following a Russian drone attack in Kharkiv, UkraineCredit: EPA