Trump on Ukraine minerals deal: I think it will be signed
U.S. President Donald Trump believes that Ukraine and the United States will sign a minerals agreement.
He said this in an interview on Fox News, Censor.NET reports.
Trump was asked whether he expects Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to "come back" and finalize the minerals deal. The White House chief replied that the deal could still be signed.
"I think so. I think it will happen," the American leader said.
Trump also answered in the affirmative when asked whether, according to his estimates, Ukraine really has valuable natural resources.
A deal on minerals with the United States
As a reminder, Trump has said he wants to sign a $500 billion 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 interest.
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.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has handed over to Ukraine an "improved" draft of the minerals agreement that "complies with Ukrainian law."
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that if the United States wants to see specific numbers in the minerals agreement, then according to Ukrainian law, ratification by the Verkhovna Rada will be required.
On February 25, the Financial Times reports that Ukraine and the United States have agreed on the terms of the minerals agreement, and Kyiv is ready to sign the document.
On February 26, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the signing of the minerals agreement with the United States.
The agreement was supposed to be signed on February 28 at the White House, but due to a dispute between Trump and Zelenskyy, it did not happen.
