Ukraine has agreed on the terms of the minerals deal with the U.S., as the Ukrainian president is expected to visit Washington to sign the agreement, a senior Ukrainian official said Tuesday.
"Now government officials are working on the details," the source said on condition of anonymity. "As of now, we are considering a visit to Washington for Friday to sign the agreement."
The United States cut clauses from the draft deal with Ukraine that would have been unfavorable to Kyiv, including that it provide "$500 billion" worth of resources, the official said.
"They removed all the clauses that did not suit us, in particular about the $500 billion," the source told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.
President Donald Trump had demanded that Ukraine give access to its rare earth minerals to compensate for the billions of dollars worth of wartime aid it received under Joe Biden.
The deal would see the United States jointly develop Ukraine's mineral wealth, with revenues going to a newly created fund that would be "joint for Ukraine and America", a senior Ukrainian source told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Trump told reporters that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to come to Washington later this week to sign the deal after the two leaders exchanged hostile words last week.
The sources said the visit is scheduled for Friday.
Trump also said there needs to be some form of peacekeeping troops in Ukraine if an agreement to end the conflict is struck. Moscow has refused to accept any deployment of NATO troops.
Trump's rush to impose an end to Russia's war in Ukraine has stoked fears of far-reaching U.S. concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin that could undermine security in Ukraine and Europe and alter the geopolitical landscape.
It was not immediately clear whether the agreement carries any specific U.S. security guarantees that Ukraine had sought or if Washington has committed to sending additional military aid.
One of the sources familiar with the deal said future weapons shipments are still being discussed between Washington and Kyiv.
The source said the draft of the deal includes a reference to "security," but does not explicitly set out the United States's role.
"There is a general clause that says America will invest in a stable and prosperous sovereign Ukraine, that it works for a lasting peace, and that America supports efforts to guarantee security."
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday they welcomed Trump's leadership in working towards a durable peace in Ukraine.
A spokesperson for Starmer's office said both leaders spoke over the phone earlier on Tuesday and reiterated Ukraine must be at the heart of any peace negotiations, and that Europe was ready to play its part.
Macron met Trump on Monday and Starmer will travel to Washington this week.
