A highly anticipated rare earth minerals deal between the United States and Ukraine is in jeopardy as talks between the two countries have grown increasingly "antagonistic," Reuters reported, citing a source with knowledge of the matter.
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump has pushed hard for Ukraine to sign an agreement that would give the U.S. access to its valuable mineral reserves in exchange for continued U.S. support for Ukraine in its ongoing war against Russia.
Trump has repeatedly mentioned the minerals agreement, and the two sides began working earnestly towards one after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the White House in February and had a heated showdown with Trump and Vice President JD Vance, which culminated in Trump temporarily pausing U.S. aid to Ukraine.
Negotiations over the minerals deal, however, have been marred by disagreements over the parameters of the deal, the scope of the U.S.'s demands and Ukraine's insistence that it will not sign an agreement that doesn't include security guarantees or bars it from seeking membership in the European Union.
What To Know
Reuters reported that American and Ukrainian officials met on Friday to discuss the deal but that the chances of reaching one are slim given tension surrounding the talks.
The tensions stem from the fact that the Trump administration's latest draft of the agreement is more far-reaching and expansive than the original proposal. It also does not include any U.S. security guarantees for Kyiv, which is a key sticking point for Ukraine.
"The negotiating environment is very antagonistic," Reuters' source said.
Zelensky has emphasized that a minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine should benefit both countries without compromising Ukrainian security and sovereignty.
Trump, for his part, has said the deal should help recoup the U.S. the billions of dollars in military assistance it has provided Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
What People Are Saying
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said last week: "Nothing that could threaten Ukraine's accession to the EU can be accepted."
Trump has been frustrated with both Ukraine and Russia and has repeatedly accused Moscow of deliberately stalling on negotiations, writing on Truth Social on Friday: "Russia has to get moving. Too many people ere DYING, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war - A war that should have never happened, and wouldn't have happened, if I were President!!!"
Newsweek