Kyiv (Ukraine), Feb. 26 (LaPresse/AP) – A framework agreement for a broad economic deal, including access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals, could be signed as early as Friday, with plans being made for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to travel to Washington to meet with Trump, according to a senior Ukrainian official.
The signing of the agreement will ensure the continued flow of much-needed U.S. military support to Ukraine, another official explained. The deal will provide Zelenskyy and Trump with an opportunity to discuss the continuation of military aid to Ukraine, which is why Kyiv is eager to finalize it.
According to a Ukrainian official, some technical details still need to be settled. However, the draft does not include a controversial proposal from the Trump administration to grant the U.S. $500 billion in profits from Ukraine’s rare earth minerals as compensation for wartime assistance to Kyiv. Instead, the U.S. and Ukraine would have joint ownership of a fund, with Ukraine contributing 50% of future revenues from state-owned resources, including minerals, oil, and gas.
One official stated that the agreement includes better investment conditions, while another mentioned that Kyiv had secured favorable amendments and considered the outcome "positive." However, the deal does not include security guarantees. A Ukrainian official noted that this would be a topic for discussion between the two presidents when they meet.