Ukraine races to finalize strategic minerals deal with US
Ukraine is eager to finalize an agreement with the United States regarding minerals as soon as possible, reported Heorhiy Tykhyi, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Monday.
During a live broadcast on platform X, the diplomatic representative stated that both parties are working on the agreement daily and that discussions are progressing. Kyiv is seeking a "mutually beneficial agreement," he emphasized.
Ukraine and the USA planned to sign the minerals agreement several weeks ago, but it was delayed at the end of February due to a contentious meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.
Trump believes the agreement, which aims to grant American companies access to Ukrainian rare earth metal deposits, should serve as a form of compensation for the aid provided to Ukraine during Joe Biden's presidency.
The Americans also believe that the presence of US companies in Ukraine would act as an additional deterrent to Russian aggression following any potential ceasefire agreement.
However, Kyiv insists that any future agreement ending the war must include concrete security guarantees for Ukraine.
