Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to travel to Washington, D.C., in the coming days after Ukraine and the United States reached an agreement on natural resource access and reconstruction, according to a Ukrainian official.
Negotiations, which had been ongoing for several days, centered on granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals as part of broader discussions to end Russia’s invasion. The agreement also includes U.S. participation in a reconstruction fund for Ukraine.
A Ukrainian official told Reuters that the terms were finalized after removing all “unacceptable” clauses, making the agreement’s contributions to Ukraine’s security and peace more explicit.
While details remain undisclosed, a key sticking point had been a prior demand from the Trump administration for a $500 billion share of Ukraine’s rare earth and other minerals in exchange for military aid—a condition Zelensky previously rejected.
As of now, U.S. officials have not confirmed whether the final terms have been approved.
“I hear that (Zelensky is) coming on Friday. Certainly, it’s OK with me if he’d like to, and he would like to sign it together with me. And I understand that’s a big deal, very big deal,” U.S. President Donald Trump said from the Oval Office on Tuesday, February 25.
Asked what Ukraine would receive in return for the mineral agreement, Trump responded: “$350 billion and lots of equipment, military equipment, and the right to fight on.”
Trump added that the rare earth deal had been largely negotiated and that future security assurances for Ukraine would be addressed later. He also suggested that Russia was aware of the agreement, stating, “I spoke with Russia about it. They didn’t seem to have a problem with it. So I think they understand … once we do this, they’re not going back in.”
Ukraine has been advocating for security guarantees, aiming not only to regain lost territory but also to secure protection against potential future Russian aggression if a peace deal is reached.
European leaders have emphasized the importance of security assurances for Ukraine in any peace negotiations. French President Emmanuel Macron, following his meeting with Trump, proposed strengthening Ukraine’s military capabilities, with the possibility of deploying British and French troops if requested.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is set to visit the White House on Thursday, has suggested that any Ukraine peace deal should include a U.S. “backstop,” which could involve security guarantees, intelligence cooperation, air support, and heavy-lift transport.
According to CNN, a source indicated that Zelensky previously rejected an earlier version of the deal, as it lacked firm American commitments while placing extensive demands on Ukraine.
During his visit to the White House on Monday, Macron praised Trump’s decision to finalize the agreement with Zelensky, calling it a significant step for both the U.S. and Ukraine in securing access to rare earth minerals and critical resources.
