Ukraine is ready to sign a landmark mineral deal with the United States in Washington on Wednesday, senior Ukrainian officials said.
Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko visited Washington on Wednesday to iron out technical details of the deal, two senior officials said.
One senior Ukrainian official noted that while the bulk of the agreement had already been agreed upon, some hurdles still needed to be overcome.
For Ukraine, the agreement is seen as an important step toward securing access to future U.S. military support.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said: “This is a truly strategically important deal to create an investment partnership fund.
“This is a truly equitable and beneficial international deal on joint investments in the development and restoration of Ukraine between the governments of the United States and Ukraine.”
In February, US President Donald Trump said he wanted access to Ukraine's rare earth metals as a condition for continuing US support in the conflict, calling it compensation for the billions of dollars in aid the US has provided to Kyiv.
But the talks hit a snag after a tense Oval Office meeting between US and Ukrainian leaders, and reaching an agreement has since proved difficult, reflecting the strained relations between Washington and Kiev.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told a White House cabinet meeting that the Trump administration is ready to sign the deal, but much work remains to be done.
“The Ukrainians decided last night to make some last-minute changes,” Mr Bessent said, commenting on reports that Ukraine was ready to agree to the pact.
“We are confident that they will reconsider this. And we are prepared to sign this afternoon if they do.”
He did not specify what changes Ukraine made at the last minute.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
