Ukraine and the United States have made significant strides toward finalizing a bilateral minerals agreement, with a memorandum expected to be signed soon, Ukrainian officials said on Wednesday. The deal is seen as a key part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s broader strategy to end the war and recou
Ukraine and the United States have made "substantial progress" in their talks on a minerals deal and will sign a memorandum in the near future, First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on Wednesday.
U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking a bilateral minerals deal as part of his push to end Ukraine's war against the Russian invasion. Trump also sees it as a way to recover billions of dollars the U.S. has spent on military assistance to Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said that Ukraine would not recognise past U.S. military aid as loans.
"Our technical teams have worked very thoroughly together on the agreement, and there is significant progress. Our legal staff has adjusted several items within the draft agreement," Svyrydenko said in a social media post on X.
Svyrydenko said the work on the deal would continue and that both sides agreed to sign a memorandum in the near term as the first stage to record the progress.
Deputy Ukrainian Economy Minister Taras Kachka told national television that talks were advancing and that it was likely a provisional document, or memorandum, could be signed very soon.
"A final document won't be signed this week. There is a lot of work to be done because the ideas included in the agreement by the U.S. side need to be developed further," Kachka said.
The United States has reduced its cost estimate for the assistance provided to Ukraine since Russia's invasion in 2022 to about $100 billion from $300 billion, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Last month, the Trump administration proposed a new, more expansive minerals deal, which gives Ukraine no future security guarantees but requires it to place in a joint investment fund all income from the exploitation of natural resources by state and private enterprises across Ukrainian territory.
The future agreement would require ratification in Ukraine's parliament and was expected to help economic growth in both countries, Svyrydenko said, but provided no more details.
"It will create opportunities for investment and development in Ukraine and establish conditions for tangible economic growth for both Ukraine and the United States," she said.
Russia’s defense ministry has accused Ukraine of carrying out four separate attacks on its energy facilities within a 24-hour period, alleging violations of a U.S.-brokered moratorium aimed at preventing strikes on each other’s critical energy infrastructure.
Sporting legends, rising stars, and international guests gathered in Madrid for the 24th Laureus World Sports Awards, where the global sporting community came together to celebrate a year of exceptional achievements, inspiring moments, and the unifying power of sport.
South Korea’s former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted from office, appeared at the Seoul Central District Court on Tuesday to attend the second hearing in his ongoing criminal trial, where he faces serious charges of insurrection.
A U.S. airstrike on Yemen’s Ras Isa oil port has killed at least 74 people and injured 171 others, marking the deadliest known attack in President Trump’s renewed campaign against Houthi rebels and raising alarm over the widening scope of the conflict.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has signaled that a nuclear agreement with the United States remains within reach, provided Washington adopts a realistic and constructive approach ahead of the second round of negotiations with the Trump administration.
A deadly attack at a cockfighting venue in coastal Ecuador has left at least 12 dead, with authorities investigating the scene for clues.
Colombia's president has suspended a ceasefire with a FARC offshoot after efforts to extend the truce failed, though peace talks remain on track.
A mob attack on an Ahmadi place of worship in Karachi has left one man dead, highlighting ongoing persecution of the minority group.
A Russian court has sentenced 19-year-old Darya Kozyreva to nearly three years in prison for protesting the war in Ukraine using poetry and graffiti.
The new U.S. ambassador to Japan has called for closer military coordination with Tokyo, framing the alliance as crucial amid rising regional tensions and ongoing trade disputes.
The Russian ruble has emerged as the top-performing currency globally in 2025, registering an impressive 38% appreciation against the US dollar since the beginning of the year, according to a report by Bloomberg.
A small plane crashed near Kopake, New York, on April 13, killing at 6 people. The Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft, carrying six people, went down under unclear circumstances. This marks the second aviation accident in New York in a week, raising safety concerns.
Several regions in Ukraine faced heightened alert on Palm Sunday, as reports of explosions and missile threats drew public attention and official responses.
Severe rainfall on April 17 led to flooding and landslides in the Piedmont region, prompting a large-scale emergency response from over 400 firefighters.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 16th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A deadly attack at a cockfighting venue in coastal Ecuador has left at least 12 dead, with authorities investigating the scene for clues.
Colombia's president has suspended a ceasefire with a FARC offshoot after efforts to extend the truce failed, though peace talks remain on track.
A mob attack on an Ahmadi place of worship in Karachi has left one man dead, highlighting ongoing persecution of the minority group.
A Russian court has sentenced 19-year-old Darya Kozyreva to nearly three years in prison for protesting the war in Ukraine using poetry and graffiti.
The new U.S. ambassador to Japan has called for closer military coordination with Tokyo, framing the alliance as crucial amid rising regional tensions and ongoing trade disputes.
A deadly attack at a cockfighting venue in coastal Ecuador has left at least 12 dead, with authorities investigating the scene for clues.
Colombia's president has suspended a ceasefire with a FARC offshoot after efforts to extend the truce failed, though peace talks remain on track.
A mob attack on an Ahmadi place of worship in Karachi has left one man dead, highlighting ongoing persecution of the minority group.
A Russian court has sentenced 19-year-old Darya Kozyreva to nearly three years in prison for protesting the war in Ukraine using poetry and graffiti.
The new U.S. ambassador to Japan has called for closer military coordination with Tokyo, framing the alliance as crucial amid rising regional tensions and ongoing trade disputes.
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