The upcoming minerals deal between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky, set to be signed on Friday, has been clarified by a senior US administration official. The official stated that the agreement does not entail any promises of future American support to Kyiv, nor does it involve commitments of US personnel in the region.
This lack of security guarantees in the deal highlights Trump's approach to resolving the conflict in Ukraine. He views the rare earths agreement as a form of repayment for past US assistance to Ukraine, rather than a pledge for future military backing.
Described as an 'important next step' in the peace process for Ukraine, the minerals deal is seen as a means to transition from conflict to economic growth. The official emphasized the mutual benefits of the economic partnership, citing the potential for American taxpayers to reap rewards from their involvement in Ukraine's defense and for Ukrainians to experience economic advancement.
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is currently in Washington to engage with Trump on the issue of security guarantees for Ukraine. Starmer has stressed the necessity of such assurances for achieving a lasting peace in the region, stating that a ceasefire alone would not suffice.
