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Ukraine has agreed on a crucial minerals deal with the US after the Trump administration dropped key demands.
The draft agreement, however, does not specify any US security guarantees or continued flow of weapons but says that the US wants Ukraine to be free, sovereign and secure, Reuters reported, citing sources.
Kyiv hopes the deal, which will see a fund established between the two countries as they jointly develop Ukraine’s mineral resources, will boost its faltering relationship with Washington.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky plans to visit Washington on Friday to meet Mr Trump after the terms were agreed.
The US dropped Mr Trump’s demand for $500bn in potential revenue from Ukrainian resources, a condition which was rejected out-of-hand by the Ukrainian president.
Included in the deal was a US commitment to back Ukraine’s economic development into the future. Senior officials have said that the minerals agreement is just one part of a larger agreement with the US.
Zelensky okays mineral deal with US without security guarantees
The US and Ukraine have agreed on the terms of a draft minerals deal central to Kyiv’s push to win Washington’s support as president Donald Trump seeks to rapidly end the war with Russia.
The draft agreement, however, does not specify any US security guarantees or continued flow of weapons but says that the US wants Ukraine to be free, sovereign and secure, Reuters reported citing sources.
One of the sources familiar with the deal said future weapons shipments are still being discussed between Washington and Kyiv.
Mr Trump told reporters that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky wants to come to Washington on Friday to sign a “very big deal”.
This came after the two leaders exchanged hostile words last week.
The Ukrainian Zelensky refused to sign an earlier draft of a minerals agreement as Washington sought rights to $500bn in Ukraine’s natural wealth.
Kyiv protested it had received far less than that in US aid and the deal lacked the security guarantees Ukraine needed.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar26 February 2025 05:39
Video: Macron meets with Trump to discuss Ukraine
Tom Watling26 February 2025 09:44
Russian foreign minister Lavrov meets Qatar Emir
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has met with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, in Doha.
Mr Lavrov is leading negotiations with the US. He met with the American delegation last week in Saudi Arabia.
Tom Watling26 February 2025 09:26
Poland to transfer 5,000 more Starlink terminals to Ukraine
Poland has ordered Elon Musk’s 5,000 Starlink terminals to be sent to Ukraine, deputy prime minister Krzysztof Gawkowski said yesterday.
“Starlink provides internet and security in both civilian and military spheres. Thanks to this, the front holds,” he said, according to reports.
The announcement comes just days after Reuters reported that US negotiators pressing Kyiv for access to Ukraine’s critical minerals raised the possibility of cutting the country’s access to Starlink satellite internet system.
Ukraine’s continued access to SpaceX-owned Starlink was brought up in discussions between US and Ukrainian officials after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky turned down an initial proposal from US treasury secretary Scott Bessent.
Ukraine reportedly on Monday agreed on a crucial minerals deal with the US after the Trump administration dropped key demands.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar26 February 2025 09:01
In pics: A firefighter works at a site of a Russian drone strike in Kyiv
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar26 February 2025 08:33
What are Ukraine’s rare minerals and why does Trump want them?
- Ukraine and the US are nearing a deal regarding Ukraine’s rare earth minerals to secure US support amid the war.
- The US had initially sought half of Ukraine’s revenues from critical minerals and key infrastructure through a joint investment fund.
- A preliminary agreement involves Ukraine contributing 50 per cent of proceeds from state-owned mineral resources to a fund for Ukrainian projects, with the US committed to supporting Ukraine’s economic development.
- Ukraine possesses significant untapped deposits of critical minerals like lithium and titanium, estimated to be worth over £12 trillion, much of which are located in regions annexed or occupied by Russia.
- Zelensky is scheduled to meet with Trump to finalize the deal, but challenges remain, including regulatory hurdles, access to geological data, and security concerns for companies operating in Ukraine.
Tom Watling26 February 2025 08:15
UK miniter: Minerals deal welcome if it helps ‘shape’ long-term peace
UK Defence Secretary John Healey has said a minerals deal agreed between the US and Ukraine would be a “good thing” if it helps “shape” long-term peace.
Speaking to Times Radio, Mr Healey said it appears the countries are “close to a deal”, adding he spoke to his counterparts in Washington and Kyiv on Tuesday.
“In the end, that detail’s a matter for the two countries, and we’ll see the detail emerge, but peace is part of a process,” he said.
“We’re at an early stage, and if this helps shape the long-term peace that’s required in Ukraine, then that’s a good thing.
“In the meantime, my job as defence minister is to make sure that we help keep Ukraine in the fight as strong as possible and that we don’t jeopardise the peace by forgetting about the war.”
Tom Watling26 February 2025 08:01
Ukraine’s air defences down 110 of 177 Russian drones, Kyiv says
Ukraine’s air defences shot down 110 of 177 drones launched by Russia in an overnight attack on Wednesday, the air force said. The statement said that 66 other drones were “lost”, in reference to the military’s use of electronic warfare to redirect them.
Tom Watling26 February 2025 07:48
Ukraine army chief says he talked about continued military support with British defence chief
Ukraine’s army chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said he discussed continued military support for Kyiv and battlefield developments with British defence chief Antony Radakin.
“Admiral Sir Antony Radakin once again assured me of the United Kingdom’s readiness to provide military assistance to the Ukrainian Defence Forces,” the Ukrainian army chief said.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar26 February 2025 07:30
Watch | West didn’t do enough to support Ukraine against Russia, says Badenoch
Jabed Ahmed26 February 2025 07:00