Ukraine, US agree to terms of minerals, reconstruction deal

Ukraine, US agree to terms of minerals, reconstruction deal
by Sheri Walsh
Washington DC (UPI) Feb 25, 2025

The United States and Ukraine have agreed to terms on a minerals and reconstruction deal, an official in Ukraine reported Tuesday, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky prepares to travel to Washington, D.C., later this week.

While the detailed terms of the deal were not revealed, the source told CNN, ABC News and The New York Times that "everything unacceptable was taken out of the text and it is now more clearly spelt out how this agreement will contribute to Ukraine's security and peace."

"We have indeed agreed to it with a number of good amendments and see it as a positive outcome," the official said. The United States has not confirmed its agreement to the terms of the deal.

According to the source, Ukraine agreed to granting U.S. access to its rare earth minerals in exchange for continued U.S. support and the reconstruction of Ukraine following Russia's invasion three years ago and ongoing war. The deal is expected to be finalized Friday when Zelensky meets with President Donald Trump.

"I hear that he's coming on Friday," Trump told reporters Tuesday in the Oval Office. "Certainly it's OK with me if he'd like to, and he would like to sign it together with me. And I understand that's a big deal, very big deal."

"We've pretty much negotiated our deal on raw earth," Trump added. Other details, including security guarantees, could be negotiated during the meeting.

On Sunday, Zelensky said his country was "ready to share" its vast rare earth minerals with the United States with certain security guarantees. Ukraine holds large deposits of lithium, titanium, coal, gas, oil and uranium worth billions of dollars.

In recent weeks, the two leaders have exchanged strong words, as Trump called Zelensky a "dictator" and appeared to blame Ukraine for starting the war. Zelensky rejected Trump's demands for $500 billion in mineral wealth, saying "I can't sell our state."

On Tuesday, Trump told reporters the United States has given Ukraine nearly $350 billion.

"We want to get that money back," Trump said. "We're helping the country through a very, very big problem ... but the American taxpayer now is going to get their money back plus."

French President Emmanuel Macron, who met with Trump at the White House on Monday, commended the president's "decision to work with President Zelensky" and "conclude this agreement that's so important for the United States and Ukraine on rare earths, critical minerals."