US, Ukraine to finalize mineral deal ahead of Trump Congress address
3 Min Read
Trump is expected to detail the strategic and economic significance of the deal during his address to Congress later today.
-
People look at the memorial to the fallen Ukrainian soldiers, on Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 4, 2025 (AP Photo/Dan Bashakov)
The United States and Ukraine are set to finalize a rare minerals agreement on Tuesday, just hours before US President Donald Trump delivers a major address to Congress, RIA Novosti reports.
The deal, which grants the US greater access to Ukraine's strategic mineral reserves, was temporarily put on hold following a heated exchange between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office last week.
Trump is expected to detail the strategic and economic significance of the deal during his address to Congress later today. The White House initially suspended the signing after diplomatic tensions between Washington and Kiev escalated over Ukraine's stance on peace negotiations with Russia.
On Tuesday, Zelensky acknowledged that his recent meeting with Trump had not gone as planned, expressing disappointment over how the discussion unfolded. However, he signaled Kiev's readiness to move forward with negotiations, including discussions on the minerals deal, which is seen as crucial for Ukraine's economic stability and foreign investment.
The agreement was nearly derailed on Friday, when talks between Trump and Zelensky collapsed in front of reporters at the White House. According to sources, Trump abruptly ended the meeting, citing Zelensky's lack of gratitude for US support. The Ukrainian leader was reportedly asked to leave the White House, despite his delegation pleading for the talks to continue.
Trump later canceled the planned signing ceremony, stating that Zelensky would not be welcome back in Washington until he was "ready for peace." The remarks signaled growing frustration in the Trump administration over Ukraine's approach to the ongoing conflict with Russia,r as the US increasingly ties financial and military aid to Kiev's willingness to engage in diplomatic talks.
Military Aid Tied to Peace Negotiations
The minerals deal is not the only issue causing friction between the two governments. The US has also suspended more than $65 billion in military aid to Ukraine, with Trump insisting that its resumption depends on Kiev's willingness to negotiate a peace settlement with Moscow. This stance has drawn concerns from some European allies, who worry that Washington is shifting away from its previous stance of unconditional support for Ukraine's defense.
Despite the tensions, the rare minerals deal is a major priority for the US, as it aims to reduce dependence on China for critical resources used in military defense, energy production, and advanced technology. Ukraine, with its vast reserves of rare earth minerals, including titanium, lithium, and graphite, is seen as a valuable partner in diversifying US supply chains.
Read more: $21 bln Ukraine aid suggestion scrapped from EU summit draft
