Kyiv
CNN
—
The US and Ukraine have agreed to terms on a deal over natural resources and reconstruction, according to a Ukrainian official.
The source said the deal was agreed after “everything unacceptable was taken out of the text and it is now more clearly spelt out how this agreement will contribute to Ukraine’s security and peace.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky now plans to travel to Washington, the source added, saying the White House had proposed Friday for a meeting.
A White House official said they were “aware” that Zelensky is expected to be in Washington potentially at the end of this week.
The official said there was no word on whether a meeting would take place between US President Donald Trump and Zelensky.
The news comes after the same source told CNN on Monday that Ukraine was ready to agree to a deal that would grant the United States access to its rare earth minerals in return for US involvement in a reconstruction fund for Ukraine. The source said the Americans had resisted security guarantees being included in the draft.
The precise wording regarding Ukraine’s security in the latest draft was unclear.
CNN reported Monday, citing a Ukrainian source familiar with the negotiations, that some of the thornier details about the resources deal would be negotiated in subsequent talks, and that the US and Ukrainian presidents might discuss the security guarantees in person.
An earlier version of the deal, in which the Trump administration demanded a $500 billion share of Ukraine’s rare earths and other minerals in exchange for the aid the US had already provided Kyiv, was rejected by Zelensky.
A source told CNN at the weekend that Zelensky could not accept that version of the deal because it contained no American “obligations” while Ukraine was “expected to provide everything.”
Since then there have been signs the two leaders were edging closer to an agreement.
During a visit to the White House on Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron commended Trump for his “decision to work with President Zelensky, and to conclude this agreement that’s so important for the US and Ukraine on rare earths, critical minerals.”
Trump told the same press conference that Zelensky “may come” to Washington this week or next.
This is a developing story. More to come