U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that Ukraine’s future may see it under Russian control, a remark sparking sharp international debate as Vice President JD Vance prepares for a crucial meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later this week.

In an interview with Fox News aired Monday, Trump discussed his approach to the ongoing war, now approaching its third year, expressing uncertainty over Ukraine’s fate.

“They may negotiate a deal, or they may not. They could end up as part of Russia, or they could stay independent,” Trump said, hinting at possible future developments.

Trump also emphasized that U.S. financial aid to Ukraine should yield tangible returns, specifically mentioning rare minerals.

“We’ve poured billions into Ukraine, and I say we need something in return. I told them I want at least $500 billion worth of rare earth materials, and they’ve pretty much agreed,” he claimed.

Additionally, Trump confirmed that retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, now serving as his special envoy, would soon travel to Ukraine to draft a proposal aimed at ending hostilities.

While Trump seeks a swift resolution, Zelenskyy remains adamant about securing robust defense commitments from Washington. Kyiv has voiced concerns that any agreement lacking firm military backing—such as NATO membership or peacekeeping deployments—would merely give Moscow time to regroup.

Zelenskyy’s spokesperson, Sergiy Nikiforov, confirmed to AFP that the Ukrainian leader would meet with Vance on Friday during the Munich Security Conference.

A source within the Ukrainian administration revealed that Kellogg is expected to arrive in Ukraine on February 20, though specific details of his visit remain undisclosed. The trip will take place just ahead of the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24.

In a Monday address, Zelenskyy reiterated his demand for “real peace and concrete security assurances” for Ukraine.

“People’s safety, national security, stable economic relations, and resource sustainability—not just for Ukraine, but for the entire free world—are at stake,” he said in a video statement.

Diplomatic Challenges and Skepticism

Despite Trump’s calls for negotiation, he has yet to lay out a concrete peace proposal. Direct talks between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin remain unlikely, as both sides have rejected direct engagement.

Putin insists that Ukraine must cede its remaining territory in the east and south—regions still under Kyiv’s control—while reiterating his opposition to Ukraine’s NATO aspirations.

Conversely, Zelenskyy refuses to make territorial concessions, though he acknowledges diplomacy may play a role in recovering lost land.

Moscow claims to have annexed five Ukrainian regions—Crimea in 2014, followed by Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia in 2022—though its control remains incomplete.

Zelenskyy disclosed Monday that efforts were underway to arrange a meeting with Trump, though a date has yet to be finalized. Trump, meanwhile, stated last week that a meeting would “probably” happen soon but ruled out traveling to Kyiv.

The New York Post reported Saturday that Trump had spoken with Putin by phone to discuss a potential resolution to the conflict. According to the report, Trump claimed Putin expressed a desire to “see people stop dying.” The Kremlin, however, neither confirmed nor denied the alleged conversation.

Munich Security Conference and U.S. Representation

The Munich Security Conference organizers confirmed Monday that Zelenskyy would attend the summit from February 14-16. The U.S. delegation will include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Kellogg, and Vance, conference chair Christoph Heusgen announced in Berlin.

Notably, no Russian government representatives will be present at the event, Heusgen confirmed.