US has given Ukraine ’improved’ rare-earth metals agreement – Axios
The administration of US President Donald Trump has given Ukraine an "improved" draft agreement on rare-earth metals that "complies with Ukrainian law."
Axios writes about this, citing sources, Censor.NET reports.
Sources from both the Ukrainian and American sides said that the agreement now looks more realistic.
"There has been a significant improvement in the latest draft, and it complies with Ukrainian law," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
It is noted that several aides to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy encouraged him to sign the updated proposal to "avoid further escalation of the conflict with Trump" and allow the US president to "justify" further US support for Ukraine.
Before that, Trump said he wanted to renew the rare-earth metals agreement with Ukraine after Kyiv refused to sign the first version. This allegedly "disappointed" the White House, the newspaper adds.
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 wrecked the rare earth metals agreement. The agreement was necessary so that the United States could recoup the money spent on supporting Ukraine.
