The White House and Ukraine have made significant progress in negotiations aimed at providing the U.S. with access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals. This development is seen as a step towards strengthening the long-term relationship between Kyiv and Washington. The progress follows recent exchanges of sharp rhetoric between President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding the matter.
Zelenskyy expressed reservations about a proposed deal put forth by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during a recent visit to Kyiv. He reiterated concerns during a meeting with Vice President JD Vance in Munich, citing the absence of security guarantees in the American proposal. Despite initial tensions, progress was made during a visit to Ukraine by retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump's special envoy to Ukraine and Russia.
The ongoing negotiations involved high-level discussions between Kellogg, Zelenskyy, and other top-ranking Ukrainian officials, including the Foreign Minister and Rada speaker. As talks continue, both sides are working on a draft agreement that could enhance bilateral relations. Zelenskyy expressed optimism about the potential deal, emphasizing the importance of getting the details right for its successful implementation.
The proposed agreement aims to grant the U.S. access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals, which are crucial components in various consumer technologies. Trump's national security adviser expressed confidence that Zelenskyy would eventually agree to the deal, highlighting its strategic significance.
While the specifics of the emerging agreement remain unclear, earlier proposals suggested leveraging Ukraine's minerals as compensation for past and future support from the U.S. The White House National Security Council has yet to comment on the reported progress in negotiations.
Separately, Trump administration officials engaged in preliminary talks with senior advisers to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia regarding efforts to end the conflict. Trump's handling of the situation drew criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans in Congress, underscoring the bipartisan support for Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression.
