Ukraine and the United States are in advanced negotiations over a minerals deal crucial to resolving Russia's three-year conflict in Ukraine, a senior Ukrainian official revealed on Monday. Both Kyiv and Washington are keen on U.S. access to Ukraine's mineral resources, contingent upon solid security assurances, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna affirmed, "Ukrainian and U.S. teams are in the final stages of negotiations regarding the minerals agreement. The discussions have been highly productive, with nearly all key details ironed out."
Stefanishyna further stated, "We hope leaders from both the U.S. and Ukraine could sign and ratify it in Washington at the earliest opportunity to signify our commitment for years to come."
Former President Trump suggested Ukraine should provide the U.S. with $500 billion in vital raw materials in exchange for assistance received from the prior Biden administration. Zelenskiy clarified that Washington had delivered $67 billion in arms and $31.5 billion in direct budgetary support to Ukraine, asserting his refusal to view aid from Biden as a loan.
Zelenskiy's rejection of an initial draft agreement earlier this month incited dissatisfaction in the White House. Nevertheless, senior Trump administration officials are optimistic that a deal will be reached and signed this week.