Top Republicans Urge Trump to Mend Ties with Zelensky, Revive U.S.-Ukraine Mineral Deal
Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Top Republicans in Congress are urging President Donald Trump to repair relations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after their Oval Office confrontation last week left diplomatic ties in turmoil. The fallout from the tense meeting has stalled key agreements, including a rare-earth minerals deal that remains unsigned.
Among those calling for reconciliation are Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), a member of the House Intelligence Committee, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), according to a report from Politico. These GOP leaders are encouraging Trump to ease tensions and move forward with the minerals deal, which they see as vital for economic and security cooperation between the two nations.
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“I just hope that they can get things back on track and that everybody will redouble their efforts,” Johnson told reporters Monday when asked about last week’s confrontation. “This is a historic opportunity, a potentially historic agreement, and obviously last week was a missed opportunity.” He added, “But I think if people are operating in good faith, I think we could get things back on the rails.”
Although Johnson remains a staunch Trump ally, he stressed the importance of finding a resolution. “I encourage—as I did over the weekend—President Zelenskyy to come back to the table and accept the deal that was proposed because that is the solution to get us out of this mess,” he said.
Despite the ongoing tensions, Rep. Fitzpatrick announced on Monday that the rare-earth mineral agreement would be finalized soon. He cited a “productive one-on-one conversation” with Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, as a step toward resolution.
“We are 100% getting this train back on the tracks,” Fitzpatrick wrote on X. “This mineral deal will be signed in short order, which will lead to a strong long-term economic partnership between the United States and Ukraine, and which will ultimately and naturally lead to security assistance.”
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Fitzpatrick also emphasized the importance of European involvement, adding, “Europe will be required to step up and do its part, and there will be mandates for them to do just that. Stay tuned for further details.”
With negotiations seemingly back on track, GOP leaders hope that Trump and Zelenskyy can move past last week’s dispute and secure a deal that benefits both nations. However, whether Trump will follow through on their advice remains uncertain.
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