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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Key European weapons still at Ukraine's disposal
Despite the recent suspension of US military aid, Ukraine continues to receive substantial support from European nations, ensuring a steady flow of weaponry and equipment to bolster its defense capabilities.
Here are some of the main contributions made per country:
United Kingdom:
- 5,000 Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM)
Germany:
- Leopard 1A5 and Leopard 2A4 tanks
- PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers
France:
- Caesar 8x8 self-propelled artillery units
Netherlands:
- YPR-765 armored personnel carriers
- Leopard 1A5 tanks
Denmark:
- Leopard 1A5 tanks
- M113G3DK/G4DK armored personnel carriers
Finland:
- Sisu XA-185 armored personnel carriers
- 122 PSH 74 (2S1 Gvozdika) self-propelled artillery units
Belgium:
- M113 armored personnel carriers
- Belgium has pledged 30 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by 2028 + training for Ukrainian pilots
Credit: AFP Zelensky hails Germany’s support in talks
President Zelensky has praised Germany's role in bolstering Ukraine's security and economy after talks with the country's incoming chancellor, Friedrich Merz.
“We coordinated our positions and I appreciate his support,” the Ukrainian leader said in a statement on X.
Zelensky highlighted Germany's critical contributions, saying: “Ukraine highly values Germany’s efforts to restore European security and protect lives in our country.
“We remember that Germany is the leader in supplying air defense systems to Ukraine and plays a crucial role in ensuring our financial stability.”
Berlin has been a key ally for Kyiv, providing advanced weaponry and financial backing as Ukraine continues its fight against Russia’s invasion.
Germany's incoming chancellor, Friedrich MerzCredit: Rex Brit heroes slam JD Vance
British heroes have hit back at "ghastly" JD Vance after Donald Trump's VP has sparked outrage by insulting the UK's 636 war dead in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The US Vice President mocked Britain on Tuesday night as “some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years”.
His comments came as he dismissed British French plans to put boots on the ground in Ukraine.
Former Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer, who served as a commando in Afghanistan, said: “Vance needs to wind his neck in.”
He added: “Show a bit of respect and stop making yourself look so unpleasant.”
SAS legend Andy McNab, who fought in the First Gulf War, said, invited Vance to visit Britain’s war memorials.
The author of best-selling Bravo Two Zero said: “He needs to read the names of the dead who have fought and shed blood alongside US troops.”
Read more reaction from the UK's veterans here.
British soldiers guard the scene of a bomb attack in Basra in 2003Credit: EPA
Healey scrambles to DC for crisis talks
Defence Secretary John Healey is scrambling to Washington DC on Wednesday for crisis talks on Thursday with his American counterpart Pete Hegseth.
It comes after America paused all military aid to Ukraine as the row between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky continues.
Britain's Defence Secretary John Healey arrives to attend Cabinet at 10 Downing Street Farage says Vance is 'wrong, wrong, wrong'
Nigel Farage has weighed in on JD Vance's comments saying the VP is "wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong."
The Reform leader said: "For 20 years in Afghanistan, pro rata our size against America's, we spent the same amount of money, we put the same number of men and women in.
"We suffered the same losses.
"We stood by America all through those 20 years putting in exactly the same contribution.
"And alright, they may be six times bigger but we did our bit. So, on this one JD is wrong."
British troops killed in Afghanistan returned to BritainCredit: X Badenoch says Vance 'meant well'
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has defended JD Vance following his insulting comments about Britain's military service.
She said: "I know JD Vance quite well. I've looked at the comments, I don't think he actually said that. A lot of people are getting carried away. They're saying loads of things and getting quite animated let's keep cool heads.
"America is our closest ally. I believe President Trump and JD Vance want peace, they're looking after their national interest, we need to do so as well."Her defence of Vance comes as many of her shadow cabinet are slamming the VP and labelling his comments "disrespectful".
Ukraine 'can't hold line without US support'
UK Government sources have told that Ukraine can't "hold the line" without US support.
America provides Kyiv with the "cream" of its weapons and about 20 per cent of the total hardware in Ukraine currently.
About 25 per cent comes from Europe and 55 per cent comes from Ukraine itself.
One official said: “there is a difference in quality and that 20 per cent from America literally is the cream and is the most lethal aspects and the most important aspects."
Starmer spoke to Trump before aid cut
Sir Keir Starmer spoke to US President Donald Trump on Monday evening.
The Downing Street spokesman declined to comment on Tuesday when asked if Trump informed Starmer of his plans to pause military aid to Ukraine.
The spokesman said: "The prime minister and President Trump are focused on the same outcome, which is delivering a secure and lasting peace in Ukraine."
Ukraine can fight for six months
Ukraine can fight on for six months without US support, defence sources insisted.
Last minute gifts from President Biden, domestic arms production and supplies from other allies can keep Kyiv’s guns in the fight.
They warned it will get “much more complicated” without American support.
Soldiers said Ukraine had been starved before – and survived – when Republicans blocked US arms deliveries from autumn 2023 into summer 2024.
Ukrainian MP Fedir Venislavskyi said: “Ukraine definitely has a safety margin of about six months even without systematic assistance from the United States, but it will be much more difficult, of course”.
He said Kyiv was working full tilt to find alternative supplies.
It has already ramped up domestic production with Kyiv manufacturing new missiles and long range drones that can strike Russian territory.
Western officials said President Biden had rammed through bumper weapons deliveries in his final days in office to safeguard Ukraine against Trump's abrupt betrayal.
But the biggest effect could be on morale.
Ex-British soldier Shaun Pinner, who fought for Ukraine's marines and was captured and tortured by Russia, said: "This will hurt, but it won't finish us.
He said: “We went for a year with no aide from America, but we are not in the same position now as we were then.
“Now we, Ukraine, are proucing ou own ballisitic missiles. We are less reliant than we were a year ago. Europe has stepped up, Ukriane has stepped up too."
He added: "This time last year, we thought that by the summer we wouldn't have a Ukraine. No ammmuntion, No artillery rounds."
He insisted Ukraine had continued to hit targets successfully deep inside Russian territory.
He added: "Last night we have hit an oil facility over 1000 km inside Russia. There were three over the last week."
He said troops would be demoralised by America's betrayal.
He added: "You want the support of the leaders of the free world and a bastion of democracy, but sadly that isn't America any more.”
Jerome Starkey is The Sun’s Defence Editor and is reporting from Ukraine.
Vance denies he was speaking about UK and France
JD Vance has now broken his silence after British politicians and veterans slammed him for "disgraceful" comments about Britain's war involvement.
On Wednesday morning, Vance said framing his comments as being about the UK or France were "absurdly dishonest".
"I don't even mention the UK or France in the clip, both of whom have fought bravely alongside the US over the last 20 years, and beyond."
However, no other European countries other than the UK and France have pledged to sending peacekeepers.
Others have said they could be interested in the idea, or would be open to some other sort of commitment.
Vance told Fox News on Tuesday night: “If you want real security guarantees, if you want to actually ensure that Vladimir Putin does not invade Ukraine again, the very best security guarantee is to give Americans economic upside in the future of Ukraine."
“That is a way better security guarantee than 20,000 troops from some random country that hasn't fought a war in 30 or 40 years."
Former top brass slam Vance
Former First Sea Lord Admiral Lord West slammed Vance's comments as "utterly disgraceful".
The ex-Navy chief and security minister said: "We lost over 450 men and women, plus 3,000 very badly injured when we went into Afghanistan post 9/11, with America as its allies. Nato had invoked Article 5.
"It is utterly discgraceful that Vance ignores that and says such things.
"He is a ghastly man, I am afraid."
Lord West, who served in the Falklands War, added: "What is even worse, is that he talks as if he is from some great warrior tribe.
"He was in the marine corps, but he didn’t do fighting. He took pictures and wrote stories. He worked in public affairs.
"So for him to be commenting like that is quite inappropriate."
Ex-Army Chief General the Lord Richard Dannatt questioned JD Vance's grasp of reality.
He said: "What planet is this guy on?"
Shadow Defence Secretary says Vance comments 'disrespectful'
Conservative Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge called Vance's comments "deeply disrespectful".
He said: "Nato Article 5 has been invoked once, on 12 Sept, 2001, by the USA after 9/11.
"Britain and France came to their aid deploying thousands of personnel to Afghanistan, including numerous parliamentary colleagues, past and present.
"It’s deeply disrespectful to ignore such service and sacrifice.”
Britain's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
Britain has fought in a some 11 conflicts since 1990, the most dangerous were the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan.
636 brave Brits gave their lives fighting alongside the US as it prosecuted the War on Terror.
- Afghanistan
Britain joined the US in Afghanistan in 2001 after New York was attacked when Al Qaeda terrorists flew passenger jets into the World Trade Centre towers.
Washington invoked Article 5 of the Nato alliance - the same section which Europe now fears America may ignore leading to a Russian invasion.
457 British troops were killed in Afghanistan as they fought in Kabul, Kandahar, and Helmand and tried to cut out a Taliban insurgency.
UK troops were part of a multi-national force, the International Security Assistance Force, that also provided security for the transitional government and rebuild the country.
The UK had combat troops in Afghanistan until 2014, but continued to be involved until 2021 before the allied force withdrew.
- Iraq
Tony Blair decided to join George Bush for his invasion of Iraq and to remove Saddam Hussein from power after bad intelligence led leaders to believe the dictator was trying to build nuclear weapons.
Operation Telic, as the British deployment was known, is the biggest since WW2 and consisted of 46,000 troops being sent to the country for the invasion.
179 Brits died between 2003 and 2009 with thousands more wounded.
After the capture of Saddam, British forces continued to patrol and attempted to maintain security in the country in a counter-insurgency operation.
But the power vacuum created by the disbanding of Iraq's armed forces created an insurgency and the growth of Jihadi groups.
British forces bravely fought through ambushes and a guerrilla war to help stabilise the country and then totally withdrawing in 2009.
The Royal Welch Fusiliers get ready to go into a helicopter around the southern Iraqi town of Basra in 2004Credit: Handout - Getty British vets blast JD Vance for insult
Hero British veterans have blasted JD Vance for belittling their sacrifices over the last half a century.
SAS legend Andy McNab, who fought in the First Gulf War, invited Vance to visit Britain’s war memorials.
The author of best-selling Bravo Two Zero said: “He needs to read the names of the dead who have fought and shed blood alongside US troops.”
Ex-Army chief General Sir Patrick Sanders said: “I fought alongside the US in Iraq and Afghanistan over almost two decades so I obviously don’t agree with Vance’s remarks.
“But I worry that public abuse will just make Keir’s job harder, when we really need to help him.”
Read more of the shocked reaction from our bravest here.
Jerome Starkey is The Sun's Defence Editor and is reporting from Ukraine.
Ukraine wants to 'continue cooperation' with US
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said "Ukraine is absolutely determined to continue cooperation with the United States."
Speaking just hours after the US paused military aid, the PM said support for cooperation still existed in Ukraine.
He said: "Regarding discussions about the possibility of stopping (US aid), we are absolutely calm and will continue our work with the United States, the US Congress, the Trump administration, and President Trump himself through all available diplomatic channels."
Vance mocking of UK soldiers sparks uproar
British politicians and veterans are now reacting after Vice President JD Vance insulted the UK's war contribution to the past 40 years.
Former Armed Forces Minister and veteran James Heappey hit back at Vance’s “sad” interpretation of history today.
He said: “Visiting British, American and French joint ops around the world - highlights of my ministerial career... Sad to hear the relationship reduced to this.”
Lib Dem MP Helen Maguire - a former captain - added: "JD Vance is erasing from history the hundreds of British troops who gave their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan."
Read more of the shocked reaction here.
The repatriation of Lt Daniel Clack at Wootton Bassett after the soldier gave his life in AfghanistanCredit: Tom Pilston - The Times 'New era' for EU with 800bn defence spend
The EU is preparing to allow its 27 member states to spend another 800bn Euros of additional defence spending.
The move comes just hours after Donald Trump paused military aid for Ukraine.
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."
Strict budget rules are set to be suspended to allow countries to ramp up their defence spending.
Some 150bn Euros will be loans to member states for defence investment.
Leyen said: "We are talking about pan-European capability domains -- for example: air and missile defence, artillery systems, missiles and ammunition drones and anti-drone systems."
The EU is now planning to spend 800bn Euros on defence Kremlin praises Trump following aid freeze
The Kremlin today praised Donald Trump for “the best contribution to peace” after he halted US military supplies to Ukraine.
Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov: “We have to look at how the situation on the ground is developing.
“The fact that so far the US has been the main supplier of this war, well, that's obvious.
“If the US ceases to be, suspends these supplies, it will probably be the best contribution to peace.”
He said that “some European countries are saying that they will continue to provide comprehensive [military] assistance [to Ukraine].
“That is, they will somehow, probably, try to compensate for the withdrawal of ammunition and everything else.
“But, of course, the most important volume so far has still come from the United States, and through US channels.
“So we will see.”
Ukraine 'could continue fighting until summer'
Ukraine has the weapon stockpiles to continue fighting until the summer alone, some experts believe.
Kyiv will likely then face a shortage of ammunition and an inability to use the most advanced weapons, current and former officials told the Wall Street Journal.
Some high-tech weapons and human specialists will be irreplaceable as only the US has the expertise and the industrial base to produce them.
Lieutenant-General Ihor Romanenko, former first deputy of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, told Al Jazeera last month "we will last six months" without American military aid.
Nikolai Mitrokhin, a researcher at the University of Bremen, said current US supplies, if used sparingly, could not last beyond mid-summer or autumn.
However, Europe is looking to back Ukraine and increase the amount of support it is giving the war-torn country.
It comes after the US President paused shipments of military aid to the country following his Oval Office row with Volodymyr Zelensky.
Donald Trump believes that Kyiv does not want peace and the move could be a way to bring the country to the table.
US continues to provide intelligence to Ukraine
Despite pausing the flow of weapons and military aid to Kyiv, the US is continuing to provide intelligence to Ukraine.
Ukrainian media report there has been no chance to intelligence sharing by the US.
Irish PM slams aid freeze
Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin has slammed Donald Trump's decision to freeze military aid to Ukraine as a "serious setback".
Speaking before a Cabinet meeting in Dublin, Martin said: “But it’s a very serious development, there’s no point in saying anything else.”
He added: “We really haven’t had an indication from Russia as to whether it is up for a durable, sustainable peace.
“But in any event, I think Europe will not stop in endeavouring to move this forward in a more positive light than currently is the situation.”
Putin propagandists gleeful at Trump aid freeze
Russian war fanatics are elated today over Donald Trump’s decision to suspend US military aid to Ukraine.
Pro-Putin war propagandist Yury Podolyaka said: “This is a big blow for Kyiv."
"Until the last moment, Zelensky and Co - as well as soldiers and officers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces - hoped that the unsuccessful visit of [the president] to Washington would not have such disastrous consequences.
"But now it has happened.
"By the end of spring, without these weapons, the Ukrainian Armed Forces will have a hard time holding the front.”
Military expert Yuriy Knutov told Abzats Telegram channel that Patriot and HIMARS missile supplies will be hit, after which Kyiv's situation will worsen dramatically.
He said: "This is quite a serious blow for Ukraine.
“Zelensky will try to ignore the situation for some time, but in a month and a half or two it will start to be felt very strongly.
“Moreover, if we carry out air strikes with our [Shahed drone] systems or cruise missiles, Ukraine will feel [the onslaught of the Russian Armed Forces] quite strongly and quickly.”
VP Vance insults UK in Fox News interview
JD Vance bizarrely claimed last night that the UK hadn't fought in a war in "30 or 40 years" despite British and American action in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Some 451 brave Brits died in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021 and 179 Brits have their lives in Iraq.
The slight against the UK comes as Sir Keir Starmer has offered to send British troops as part of a peacekeeping force after a ceasefire has been made in Ukraine.
A force of up to 30,000 troops could be sent by European allies - but they want US airpower to back them up.
Since the 1990s, Britain has also fought in the Gulf War, Bosnian War, the 1998 bombing of Iraq, Kosovo War, Sierra Leone Civil War, Libyan Civil War, the war against ISIS, and the bombing campaign against the Houthis.
Trump 'believes Ukraine obstacle to peace'
Malcolm Chalmers, the Deputy Director-General of the Royal United Services Institute, said the decision showed that in Trump's mind it is Ukraine who is the obstacle to a peace deal.
Chalmers said: "But there is no evidence that Russia would be prepared to accept a deal, and what that would be.
"Indeed this decision will encourage Putin to ask for more – including Ukrainian demilitarisation and neutrality.
"The nightmare scenario is that the US and Russia announce a deal soon, and then tell Ukraine and Europe to ‘take it or leave it’."
Any talk of peacekeepers, Chalmers said, depended on what peace deal was made.
US VP said Zelensky 'needled' Trump
US Vice President JD Vance accused Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky of "needling" Donald Trump and having a "certain sense of entitlement" to military aid.
Sitting down with Fox News' Sean Hannity early on Tuesday, Vance blamed Zelensky for the bust up.
He also said Zelensky wasn't ready for peace just yet.
Vance said: "That's the real breakdown. I think Zelensky wasn't yet there. And frankly, still isn't there. But I think he'll get there eventually, he has to."
He added the "door is open" so long as "Zelensky is willing to seriously talk peace".
The VP was part of the ambush of brave Zelensky in the Oval Office and attacked him for not being "thankful".
VP JD Vance was also part of the ambush on ZelenskyCredit: The Mega Agency