Zelenskyy Rejects $500 Billion U.S. Minerals Deal Amidst Rising Tensions

As Ukraine approaches the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declined a U.S. proposal for a $500 billion minerals deal, citing concerns over long-term debt for future generations. Despite expressing a desire for amicable relations with the U.S., Zelenskyy dismissed President Donald Trump’s characterization of him as a “dictator” for not conducting elections during wartime. He emphasized his unwillingness to burden Ukraine with substantial debt, stating, “I’m not signing something that 10 generations of Ukrainians are going to pay later.”

Bomb Threat Disrupts Anti-Trump Conference in Washington, D.C.

The Principles First summit, a center-right political conference in Washington, D.C., was evacuated following a bomb threat from an individual claiming to be Enrique Tarrio, former leader of the Proud Boys. The threat, which referenced “Emperor Trump” and included violent intentions towards political adversaries, led to a temporary evacuation. Tarrio, recently pardoned for his involvement in the January 6 insurrection, denied any connection to the incident. After a security sweep, the event resumed, with attendees expressing gratitude to law enforcement

theguardian.com

Additional Developments:

• Democratic Lawmaker Accuses Trump of “Surrendering to the Russians”: A senior Democratic official criticized President Trump for engaging in talks with Russia over Ukraine, suggesting it undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty.

• FBI Director Advises Staff Amidst Administrative Changes: Newly appointed FBI Director Kash Patel has instructed agency employees to disregard a request from the Trump administration to list their recent accomplishments, coinciding with tech billionaire Elon Musk’s initiative to reduce federal government size.

• Trump Administration Plans to Reduce USAID Workforce: The administration announced plans to place the majority of USAID personnel on paid administrative leave and eliminate approximately 2,000 positions within the U.S., as detailed in a notice to agency workers.

Note: The information provided is based on reports from reputable news sources as of February 24, 2025.