US announces shift in priorities for minerals deal
Photo: Karoline Leavitt (Getty Images)
President Donald Trump's team is currently focused on the issue of a ceasefire in Ukraine. The minerals deal has taken a backseat, stated White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Journalists asked her about the status of the US-Ukraine minerals deal.
She responded that it remains on the agenda, but the US is focusing on peace settlement efforts.
Ukraine-US deal
Ukraine and the US had been negotiating an agreement on rare earth materials. Under the deal, the US sought access to Ukrainian minerals. However, Ukraine demanded security guarantees in exchange for the resources, a condition that the Trump administration did not agree to.
As reported by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the document is essentially a preliminary agreement with legal force. It involves the creation of an Investment Fund for the development and restoration of the country.
It is important to note that the agreement was supposed to be signed during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Washington on February 28. However, due to a dispute between Trump and Zelenskyy, the signing was canceled.
For more details on whether it would be beneficial for Ukraine to conclude a minerals deal with the US, read the material by RBC-Ukraine.
