The U.S. and Ukraine are close to finalizing a deal granting the U.S. mineral rights in exchange for military aid, according to Wall Street Journal.
The United States and Ukraine are nearing the completion of an agreement that would grant the U.S. access to valuable mineral rights.
This deal, which the Trump administration has been pursuing as a form of compensation for military assistance provided to Ukraine in its defense against Russia, could be finalized as soon as Saturday, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal on Friday. However, discussions are still ongoing, and the precise details of the agreement remain undisclosed.
Ukraine initially hesitated to sign the agreement earlier in the week, leading to increased tensions between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The delay also raised concerns about a potential strain in diplomatic relations between Washington and Kyiv.
In his nightly video address on Friday, Zelenskyy indicated that negotiations were making progress, stating that officials from both countries were working on a draft version of the deal. "This is an agreement that can strengthen our relations, and the key is to work out the details to ensure its effectiveness," he said. "I look forward to the outcome—a just result."
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had presented the proposal to Zelenskyy during a visit to Kyiv last week. However, Ukrainian officials did not immediately sign, citing the need for additional review and requesting security assurances. They also noted that they had only been given a few hours to examine the proposal before it was formally introduced.
“I think they want it. They feel good about it," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Friday when asked about the potential mineral rights agreement.
Zelenskyy’s initial refusal of the proposal contributed to rising tensions, with Trump referring to him as a “dictator” after the Ukrainian leader implied that Trump was influenced by Russian disinformation.
On Thursday, Trump’s Ukraine envoy, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv, a meeting the Ukrainian president later described as one that "restores hope." Zelenskyy stated that he had directed his team to proceed with the negotiations "swiftly and very sensibly."
A source familiar with the Ukrainian government indicated that Kellogg played a pivotal role in finalizing the deal by fostering trust with Zelenskyy and other officials over the course of his three-day visit.
The disagreement over the deal had sparked concerns among U.S. allies that Trump might reduce or withdraw support for Ukraine, which has been reliant on American military and financial aid for three years in its defense against Russian forces.
Trump is advocating for a rapid resolution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Senior U.S. and Russian officials convened in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, agreeing to establish teams to negotiate a potential settlement.
However, Zelenskyy expressed dissatisfaction with being excluded from these discussions, asserting that Ukraine would not accept any agreement in which it had not been directly involved.
11 countries pledged to fully enforce UN sanctions on North Korea after the first MSMT meeting. The group, formed after Russia’s veto, aims to track violations and enforcement. Nations reaffirmed their commitment to security while keeping the door open for dialogue.
U.S. and Russian officials concluded more than four hours of talks in Riyadh on Tuesday in their first high-level discussion aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. The meeting, closely watched by Kyiv and its European allies, saw Moscow introduce a significant new demand.
Taiwan is reportedly in talks to buy $7-10 billion in U.S. weaponry, including missiles and HIMARS, to bolster its defences amid rising Chinese military pressure. The move could further strain U.S.-China ties, as Beijing opposes foreign arms sales to Taiwan.
Beijing, Feb 17 (Reuters) — Chinese President Xi Jinping met with some of the country’s most prominent technology leaders on Monday, urging them to embrace innovation and reaffirming Beijing’s support for private enterprise.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Friday that the European Union may face tariffs if the bloc does not cut its growing deficit with the United States by making large oil and gas trades with the world's largest economy.
Menlo Park, CA, February 17, 2025 – Newly unsealed court documents from the case Kadrey v. Meta shed light on internal discussions among Meta employees about the use of copyrighted materials to train the company’s artificial intelligence models.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is asking Congress for nearly $40 billion in disaster funding to help Los Angeles recover and rebuild areas scorched by last month's devastating wildfires, the Washington Post reported on Friday citing a letter.
San Francisco, February 17, 2025 – OpenAI has terminated a group of Chinese ChatGPT accounts that were reportedly used to edit and debug code for an AI-powered social media surveillance tool.
‘We are already negotiating to work together in space, we can collaborate in this sphere also," Russian leader says
Vatican City, February 20, 2025 – Pope Francis will not appear in public on Sunday to lead his customary prayer with pilgrims, marking the second consecutive week of absence, the Vatican announced on Saturday.
A tragic crowd crush at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night left 18 dead and 10 injured as thousands of people, many heading to the Kumbh Mela festival, attempted to board delayed trains. The incident highlights the ongoing risks of overcrowding at public transportation hubs in India.
A Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday, injuring 18 people. Officials are investigating whether strong winds and snow played a role in the incident.
Berlin, February 21, 2025 – German citizens will head to the polls on Sunday, February 23, for a snap general election after the coalition government collapsed late last year.
BERLIN, Feb 22 (Reuters) - NATO is planning to build a pipeline system from Germany to Poland and the Czech Republic to ensure a rapid supply of jet fuel for fighter aircraft in the event of a war with Russia, weekly German magazine Der Spiegel reported.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is asking Congress for nearly $40 billion in disaster funding to help Los Angeles recover and rebuild areas scorched by last month's devastating wildfires, the Washington Post reported on Friday citing a letter.
A second meeting between representatives of Russia and the United States is planned for the next two weeks, the RIA state news agency reported on Saturday, citing Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
Washington, D.C., February 21, 2025 – U.S. negotiators have reportedly raised the possibility of cutting Ukraine’s access to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service unless Kyiv reaches an agreement to grant the United States greater access to its critical minerals.
Hamas has begun releasing hostages from Gaza on Saturday in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, as Israel confirmed that a body handed over earlier was that of hostage Shiri Bibas.
Menlo Park, CA, February 17, 2025 – Newly unsealed court documents from the case Kadrey v. Meta shed light on internal discussions among Meta employees about the use of copyrighted materials to train the company’s artificial intelligence models.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is asking Congress for nearly $40 billion in disaster funding to help Los Angeles recover and rebuild areas scorched by last month's devastating wildfires, the Washington Post reported on Friday citing a letter.
San Francisco, February 17, 2025 – OpenAI has terminated a group of Chinese ChatGPT accounts that were reportedly used to edit and debug code for an AI-powered social media surveillance tool.
‘We are already negotiating to work together in space, we can collaborate in this sphere also," Russian leader says
Vatican City, February 20, 2025 – Pope Francis will not appear in public on Sunday to lead his customary prayer with pilgrims, marking the second consecutive week of absence, the Vatican announced on Saturday.
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