Trump to try to reach simplified mineral deal with Ukraine - Reuters
Donald Trump's administration may try to conclude a simplified minerals agreement with Ukraine to speed up the process and then discuss detailed terms.
According to Censor.NET, Reuters reports this with reference to sources.
This comes after Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected a proposal last week that would have given the United States 50% of the important minerals.
According to sources, this indicates that reaching a full agreement will take time.
A representative of Trump's team did not answer whether the United States would try to conclude a deal.
"Of course, we need to bring this guy (Volodymyr Zelenskyy - Ed.) back to reality."
The interlocutors said that it is important for Trump to publicly show the American people that the United States is returning the money for the aid it has provided.
One of the sources said that Ukraine is ready to make a deal with the Trump administration. Another source also said that Kyiv is ready to make a deal, but it should not look as "predatory" as the one proposed by the United States.
Details of the deal are not yet known.
The revised, simplified approach will help the U.S. bypass numerous legal and logistical hurdles and give it time to negotiate the details of the development, including revenue sharing, later, the agency said.
Agreement on minerals with the United States
As a reminder, Trump has said that he wants to sign a $500 million deal with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on access to rare earth resources and natural gas in Ukraine in exchange for security guarantees in any potential peace settlement.
President Zelenskyy said that the agreement with the US on minerals would be signed at the ministerial level when ready and subject to guarantees. Currently, this document is not ready to protect Ukraine's interests.
Later, Trump said that Ukraine had derailed the rare earth metals deal. The agreement was needed so that the United States could recover the money spent on supporting Ukraine.
