Kyiv has agreed terms with Washington on a minerals deal that Ukrainian officials hope will improve relations with the Trump administration and pave the way for a long-term US security commitment.
Ukrainian officials say Kyiv is now ready to sign the agreement on jointly developing its mineral resources, including oil and gas, after the US dropped demands for a right to $500bn in potential revenue from exploiting the resources.
The officials argued that they had negotiated far more favourable terms and depicted the deal as a way of broadening the relationship with the US to shore up Ukraine’s prospects after three years of war.
I don’t think this is a ‘bluff’ or being ‘called’, but I do feel the need to point out that this is a similar situation to the tariffs on Canada and Mexico - Trump seeks a ‘win’ by looking ‘tough’. Insofar as he can be made to seem weak or foolish, such deals are a loss for him. Zelensky is, arguably, in a position to ‘call’ simply because Trump seems very likely to rescind aid and take Russia’s side regardless of what Zelensky does.
But again - I don’t think this is a bluff or a call. And not knowing the details of the agreement makes it even hazier.
Gotcha. I see better where you’re coming from now. Yeah, Zelenskyy needs to be very very careful.
edit: mixed up commenters but the comment above is insightful and turn out right.