Ukraine races to secure key mineral deal with the U.S.
Ukraine is eager to finalize an agreement with the United States regarding minerals as soon as possible, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Heorhiy Tykhyy, stated on Monday.
During a live broadcast on platform X, a representative from the diplomatic department mentioned that both sides are working daily, and the talks are making progress. Kyiv aims for a "mutually beneficial agreement," he emphasized.
Ukraine and the U.S. had planned to sign the mineral agreement several weeks ago. Still, it was delayed in late February due to a stormy meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.
Trump believes that the agreement, which would grant American companies access to Ukrainian rare earth metal deposits, should serve as a kind of payment for the assistance provided to Ukraine during Joe Biden's presidency.
Additionally, Americans believe that the involvement of U.S. firms in Ukraine could serve as a deterrent against further aggression from Russia after a potential ceasefire agreement is reached.
Kyiv, however, insists that any future agreement to end the war should also include specific security guarantees for Ukraine.
