"We get back the money that we spent" - Trump on Ukraine minerals deal

He said this during the first Cabinet meeting, CNN reports. 

“We’re doing very well with Russia-Ukraine. President Zelensky is going to be coming on Friday. It’s now confirmed, and we’re going to be signing an agreement,” Trump said, thanking Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

He added, “We’ve been able to make a deal where we’re going to get our money back and we’re going to get a lot of money in the future, and I think that’s appropriate.”

Trump said his administration is “happy about” the deal, which could grant the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals as part of wider negotiations to end Russia’s war on Ukraine, as well as US involvement in a reconstruction fund for Ukraine.

Read also U.S.-Ukraine rare earth minerals deal includes security clause

Trump also said he will not be making “security guarantees to Ukraine beyond very much,” suggesting European nations should take that responsibility.

“The deal we’re making gets us, it brings us great wealth. We get back the money that we spent, and we hope that we’re going to be able to settle this up,” Trump said.