President Donald Trump of the United States said on Sunday that Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to back out of a critical minerals deal.

This was as he warned that the Ukrainian leader would face big problems if he did.

β€œHe's trying to back out of the rare earth deal and if he does that he’s got some problems, big, big problems.

β€œHe wants to be a member of NATO, but he's never going to be a member of NATO. He understands that,” Trump said.

Recall that Trump had said that the United States would shortly sign a minerals and natural resources deal with Ukraine.

He said his efforts to achieve a peace deal for the country were going pretty well after his talks this week with the Russian and Ukrainian leaders.