Ukraine Expected to Sign ‘Improved’ Minerals Deal with US After Trump-Zelenskyy Spat

US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz announced on Friday that Ukraine is expected to sign a deal in the very near future that would give Washington rights to some of Kyiv's minerals. This announcement comes after tough negotiations between the two countries, with talks extending into the night and into Friday morning.

The negotiations over US access to Ukraine's mineral resources have become a major point of contention between Kyiv and its most important ally. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy initially refused to sign the deal earlier this week, leading to a war of words with US President Donald Trump. Zelenskyy accused Trump of being influenced by Russian disinformation, while Trump referred to Zelenskyy as a dictator.

Waltz emphasized the importance of Ukraine signing the deal, stating that they need to "tone it down and take a hard look and sign that deal." However, Ukrainian officials have raised concerns about the initial draft of the agreement presented by the US, stating that it did not align with Ukrainian law and gave Washington significant concessions without providing security guarantees in return.

As President Trump continues diplomatic outreach with Russia, Ukraine hopes that successfully negotiating a minerals deal could help improve its relationship with Washington. The deal is expected to be signed soon, potentially as early as Saturday, although the exact terms have not been disclosed.

Overall, the signing of the minerals deal could not only secure US access to valuable resources in Ukraine but also help mend the strained relations between the two countries. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing situation.