Ukraine is set to sign a major mineral deal with the United States in Washington on Wednesday, two senior Ukrainian officials said.
Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko is in Washington on Wednesday to iron out technical details of the deal, the two senior officials said.
One senior Ukrainian source noted that while the bulk of the agreement had been agreed upon, some hurdles still needed to be cleared.
The deal is seen by Ukraine as an important step toward securing access to future military aid from the United States.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said: “This is a truly strategic agreement concerning the creation of an investment partnership fund.
“This is truly a fair and beneficial international deal for joint investments in the development and reconstruction 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 war, calling it compensation for the billions of dollars in aid the US has given to Kyiv.
But talks stalled after a tense Oval Office meeting between US and Ukrainian leaders, and reaching an agreement has since become a difficult task, causing tensions 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 there is still much work to do.
“The Ukrainian side 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
