Ukraine seeks swift minerals deal with US amid tensions
Ukraine is eager to finalise an agreement with the United States on minerals as soon as possible, as reported by Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhyi on Monday.
A representative from the diplomatic department mentioned during a live broadcast on platform X that both parties are working daily, and discussions are progressing. Kyiv is seeking a "mutually beneficial agreement," he emphasised.
Ukraine and the US initially planned to sign an agreement on minerals a few weeks ago. Still, it was postponed at the end of February following a fraught meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.
Trump believes that the agreement, which would allow American companies access to Ukrainian deposits of rare earth metals, should act as a form of payment for the assistance provided to Ukraine during Joe Biden's presidency.
Americans also consider that the involvement of US companies in Ukraine could serve as a deterrent to further Russian aggression after any potential ceasefire agreement.
Meanwhile, Kyiv insists that any future agreement to end the war should also include concrete security guarantees for Ukraine.
