New Delhi, Feb. 28 -- US President Donald Trump on Friday welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House ahead of sign a deal granting Washington access to Ukraine's rare minerals.

The meeting comes a week after Trump branded Volodymyr Zelensky a dictator.

Zelenskyy flashed a thumb's up but didn't speak to reporters as he arrived at the White House, reported AP.

He wore a more formal black top rather than his usual military green T-shirt, prompting Trump to quip, "He's all dressed up."

Meanwhile, Trump told his Ukrainian counterpart that a truce with Russia is "fairly close" and that the deal allowing US exploitation of Ukraine's natural resources would be "very fair."

Trump was speaking to Zelensky at the White ...