U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that Ukraine “may be Russian someday”

U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that Ukraine “may be Russian someday” as he continues to promise a swift resolution to the ongoing war.

Trump made the remark during an interview on Monday while discussing the three-year conflict triggered by Russia’s full-scale invasion. Meanwhile, Kyiv has indicated openness to an arrangement that would see the U.S. compensated for its continued military and financial support.

“They may make a deal, they may not make a deal. They may be Russian someday, or they may not be Russian someday,” Trump told Fox News.

He also reiterated his demand for compensation in the form of access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals.

“We are going to have all this money in there, and I say I want it back. And I told them that I want the equivalent, like $500 billion worth of rare earth,” Trump said. “And they have essentially agreed to do that, so at least we don’t feel stupid.”

Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, confirmed to The Associated Press that Ukraine is “interested to work” with the U.S. on the deal.

Zelenskyy, who is scheduled to meet U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Friday, is pushing for strong security guarantees from Washington as part of any potential ceasefire with Russia. Kyiv remains wary that any settlement without firm military commitments—such as NATO membership or peacekeeping deployments—could give the Kremlin time to regroup and launch a renewed assault.

Over the weekend, Trump suggested he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though Moscow has not confirmed any direct communication. The Kremlin has reiterated that a truce is only possible on its terms.

Amid ongoing diplomacy, the war continues to escalate. Russian forces are advancing on the eastern front, and both sides have intensified their near-nightly air strikes on energy infrastructure.

On Tuesday, a Russian drone and missile strike targeted natural gas production facilities in Ukraine’s central Poltava region. Meanwhile, Russia reported a fire at an industrial site in Saratov, which Ukraine claimed was the result of an attack on an oil refinery.