PM states Kiev poised to sign minerals pact with US
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky was unable to finalize the agreement on Friday following a heated confrontation with Donald Trump and Vice President Vance. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Just days ago, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky departed the White House without finalizing an agreement following a heated confrontation with Donald Trump.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmigal stated that Kiev is keen to finalize a deal that would allow the US access to the country’s rare earth elements in exchange for military assistance amidst the ongoing conflict with Moscow.
Washington had anticipated that the deal would be signed during Zelensky's visit to the White House on Friday. However, the meeting with President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance escalated into a shouting match in front of the press.
During this heated exchange, Trump told Zelensky that he could not negotiate with Russia to end the conflict without the agreement. "You do not have the cards. But once we sign that deal, you are in a much better position. But you are not acting at all thankful, and that is not a nice thing," he cautioned.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Shmigal announced that the authorities in Kiev are “ready to sign the prepared agreement on the establishment of the investment fund” to manage revenues from the development of Ukraine’s minerals.
“This agreement has been approved by the Ukrainian government. And we are ready at any time to begin this cooperation with the US by signing such an agreement and further develop our economic cooperation,” he added.
Despite the altercation at the Oval Office, the Prime Minister reassured that Kiev “will absolutely calmly continue to work with the US, with the US Congress, with the Trump administration and with President Trump himself through all diplomatic channels available to us” to ensure continued American support for Ukraine.
On Sunday, Zelensky indicated that the natural resources “agreement that is on the table will be signed if the parties are ready.” He expressed optimism about mending his relationship with Trump but preferred that future communications take place privately.
When asked by reporters on Monday whether he thought the minerals agreement between Washington and Kiev was “dead,” Trump responded: “I don’t think so.”
“It is a great deal for us, because you know [former US President Joe] Biden very, very foolishly, stupidly, frankly, gave $300 billion… to a country [Ukraine] to fight and to try and do things. And you know what happened? We get nothing,” he remarked.
To revive negotiations on the deal with the US, Zelensky needs to “express more gratitude” to Washington, according to the US president. Trump had earlier stated that the Ukrainian leader would be welcome back to the White House only “when he is ready for peace.”
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmigal stated that Kiev is keen to finalize a deal that would allow the US access to the country’s rare earth elements in exchange for military assistance amidst the ongoing conflict with Moscow.
Washington had anticipated that the deal would be signed during Zelensky's visit to the White House on Friday. However, the meeting with President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance escalated into a shouting match in front of the press.
During this heated exchange, Trump told Zelensky that he could not negotiate with Russia to end the conflict without the agreement. "You do not have the cards. But once we sign that deal, you are in a much better position. But you are not acting at all thankful, and that is not a nice thing," he cautioned.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Shmigal announced that the authorities in Kiev are “ready to sign the prepared agreement on the establishment of the investment fund” to manage revenues from the development of Ukraine’s minerals.
“This agreement has been approved by the Ukrainian government. And we are ready at any time to begin this cooperation with the US by signing such an agreement and further develop our economic cooperation,” he added.
Despite the altercation at the Oval Office, the Prime Minister reassured that Kiev “will absolutely calmly continue to work with the US, with the US Congress, with the Trump administration and with President Trump himself through all diplomatic channels available to us” to ensure continued American support for Ukraine.
On Sunday, Zelensky indicated that the natural resources “agreement that is on the table will be signed if the parties are ready.” He expressed optimism about mending his relationship with Trump but preferred that future communications take place privately.
When asked by reporters on Monday whether he thought the minerals agreement between Washington and Kiev was “dead,” Trump responded: “I don’t think so.”
“It is a great deal for us, because you know [former US President Joe] Biden very, very foolishly, stupidly, frankly, gave $300 billion… to a country [Ukraine] to fight and to try and do things. And you know what happened? We get nothing,” he remarked.
To revive negotiations on the deal with the US, Zelensky needs to “express more gratitude” to Washington, according to the US president. Trump had earlier stated that the Ukrainian leader would be welcome back to the White House only “when he is ready for peace.”
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
