Ukraine’s prime minister has said Kyiv is ready to sign a minerals deal with the U.S., seen as key to any lasting peace with American support.
Denys Shmyhal also said his government would do everything to maintain diplomatic ties with Washington. His comments came in the wake of the Donald Trump administration deciding to suspend military assistance to Ukraine.
“We, I repeat, are grateful to the Americans, to the American nation,” Shmyhal was quoted by Ukrainian newswire UNN as saying.
“We are ready to sign the agreement that has been prepared regarding the establishment of the relevant investment fund in order to start working with the USA on a completely pragmatic, economic basis. This agreement has been approved by the government of Ukraine. We are ready to begin this cooperation at any moment.”
The agreement giving the U.S. access to Ukraine’s wealth in rare earth minerals was scheduled to be signed at the White House last Friday. Instead, Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy engaged in a heated dispute, which ended in the signing being canceled.
US wants billions back
The Trump administration views a minerals deal as America's way of earning back some of the tens of billions of dollars it has given to Ukraine in financial and military aid since Russia invaded three years ago.
Despite his frustration with Kyiv, the U.S. president suggested on Monday that the deal could still be reached. Asked if the deal was dead, Trump said at the White House: “No, I don't think so.”
He described it as a “great deal for us” and said he would give an update on the situation on Tuesday night when he addresses a joint session of Congress.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance also said the minerals deal was in Kyiv’s interests.
“If you want real security guarantees, if you want to actually ensure that Vladimir Putin does not invade Ukraine again, the very best security guarantee is to give Americans economic upside in the future of Ukraine,” he told Fox News in an interview.
