Trump may seek streamlined initial agreement on Ukraine’s rare earths – Reuters

The administration of US President Donald Trump may offer Ukraine a simplified initial mineral agreement to conclude quickly. The detailed terms, including how much of Ukraine's vast resources the United States will own, may be discussed later.

Reuters reports this, citing sources.

This comes after President Volodymyr Zelensky last week rejected an earlier version of the agreement, under which Washington would receive 50% of Ukraine's critical minerals.

The sources told Reuters that Zelensky's rejection of that document showed that reaching a complete agreement would take time.

However, Trump wants to reach an agreement with Ukraine before:

• potentially allowing increased military support for Kyiv,
• or continuing to try to mediate in formal peace talks.

Trump's representative in Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, who is currently in Kyiv, is expected to discuss the terms of the revised agreement and what Ukraine wants in exchange for signing it.

It should be noted that Zelensky said the day before that he would meet with Kellogg on February 20, "and it is essential for us that this meeting – and the overall cooperation with America – be constructive."

When asked whether the American authorities would continue to seek a deal, a Trump adviser, speaking anonymously, said of Zelensky: "We definitely need to bring this guy back to reality."

Attempts to conclude a deal continue despite the growing rift between Trump and Zelensky.

On February 19, the President of the United States criticized his Ukrainian counterpart, labeling him a "dictator without elections." Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of presidential elections in Ukraine amid the ongoing war.

This was a reaction to Zelensky's statement that Trump had fallen into the trap of Russian disinformation. After all, the US president suggested that Ukraine started the war.

The United States has provided Ukraine with tens of billions of dollars in military aid over the past three years, and Trump has said that US investment in Ukrainian minerals can ensure that "we will get that money back in some form." He is pushing for Kyiv to grant the US $500 billion in concessions in recognition of Washington's assistance.

Sources said it was important for Trump to publicly demonstrate that the US is repaying the aid to the American people.

It was unclear to what extent the initial US offer was designed to compensate for past arms sales or future deliveries. However, Zelensky said it focused too much on US interests and did not include security guarantees for Kyiv.

"I cannot sell our country," he told reporters on February 19.

A third source familiar with the situation said Ukraine was ready to make a deal with the Trump administration. Another source also said that Kyiv is prepared to make a deal, but it should not be seen as "predatory" as the arrangement initially proposed by the United States.

Details of the US discussions on the potential mining deal, including information about who in the administration helped develop the initial proposal, are unknown.

The revised approach is just one of several options the White House is discussing in the coming weeks for concluding a deal with Kyiv. This is an unusually tight timeframe for a complex sector where deals usually involve private companies and state entities, not governments.

For reference:

As Rubryka reported, US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to renew the rare earth minerals agreement with Ukraine, warning President Volodymyr Zelensky may not be "very happy" otherwise.

It is noteworthy that Rubryka has discussed Ukraine's rare earth elements, lithium reserves, and other mineral resources, highlighting their significance and why they have gained attention during the war.

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