Ukraine, US agree on a framework economic deal, Ukrainian officials say

KYIV, UKRAINE — After months of negotiations, Ukraine and the United States have reached a groundbreaking agreement that will bring significant economic benefits to both countries. The deal, which includes access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, was announced by three senior Ukrainian officials on Tuesday.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the agreement could be signed as early as Friday and plans are being made for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to travel to Washington to meet with President Donald Trump. This marks a significant step forward in the relationship between the two countries and demonstrates the commitment of both leaders to strengthening ties.

President Trump, speaking from the Oval Office, expressed his support for the deal, saying, “I’ve heard that Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is coming and it’s OK with me if he’d like to sign it together with me.” He also referred to the agreement as “a very big deal” and estimated its worth to be around 1 trillion dollars.

The agreement will not only provide economic benefits, but it will also pave the way for further discussions on military support for Ukraine. One of the officials stated that Ukraine is eager to finalize the deal in order to ensure the continued flow of U.S. military aid, which is urgently needed.

While some technical details are still being worked out, the draft of the agreement does not include a contentious proposal from the Trump administration to take $500 billion worth of profits from Ukraine’s rare earth minerals as compensation for its wartime assistance. Instead, the U.S. and Ukraine will have joint ownership of a fund, with Ukraine contributing 50% of future proceeds from state-owned resources such as minerals, oil, and gas.

According to one official, the deal has better terms of investment and another official described the outcome as “positive.” This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of both sides in reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.

However, it is important to note that the deal does not include security guarantees. This will be a topic of discussion when President Zelenskyy and President Trump meet in Washington. It is a complex issue that requires careful consideration and both leaders are committed to finding a solution that will benefit both countries.

The progress in negotiating this deal comes after a brief period of tension between the two leaders. Last week, President Zelenskyy expressed his reservations about signing off on a deal proposed by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during his visit to Kyiv. He also raised concerns during a meeting in Munich with Vice President JD Vance, as the American proposal did not include security guarantees.

In response, President Trump made some critical remarks about President Zelenskyy, but both sides were able to put their differences aside and make significant progress during a visit to Ukraine by retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia.

The idea for this economic deal was initially proposed by President Zelenskyy last fall as part of his plan to strengthen Ukraine’s position in future negotiations with Moscow. This agreement is a testament to his commitment to improving the economic well-being of Ukraine and forging stronger ties with the United States.

The benefits of this deal will not only be limited to economic gains, but it will also have a positive impact on the overall relationship between Ukraine and the United States. It is a clear demonstration of the strong partnership and friendship between the two countries.

In conclusion, the agreement between Ukraine and the United States is a significant step forward in strengthening the economic ties between the two nations. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of both sides in reaching a mutually beneficial deal. This agreement will not only bring economic benefits, but it will also pave the way for further discussions on military support and security guarantees. It is a positive development that will bring prosperity and stability to both countries.

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