KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine is reportedly preparing to sign a significant mineral resources agreement with the United States in Washington on Wednesday, as confirmed by two senior Ukrainian officials.
These officials, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions, indicated that Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko is in Washington finalizing the technical details of the agreement.
However, it’s unclear whether the Trump administration is ready to proceed with the signing of the deal.
Trump has previously indicated that access to Ukraine’s rare earth elements is a prerequisite for ongoing U.S. support amidst the country’s protracted conflict with Russia.
Before meeting in Washington, the Ukrainian Cabinet is expected to approve the text of the agreement, which will then be signed by an authorized government representative.
The agreement will require ratification in the Ukrainian parliament to take effect, further prolonging the process.
According to one of the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, the agreement comprises multiple documents, including a primary agreement and at least two technical accords that will outline the structure and operations of a joint fund.
Despite some initial concerns regarding the agreement’s terms, the Ukrainian side expressed general satisfaction with the progress made during negotiations.
There is hope among the Ukrainian officials that no further changes will be required from Washington’s side before the signing.
Ukraine has added new provisions to the agreement aiming to balance perceived disparities toward American interests that were present in the initial U.S. draft from March.
The discussions have focused on incorporating more substantive details rather than mere declarations, as emphasized by an industry official close to the negotiations.
In Moscow, a senior Kremlin official commented on the complexities involved in securing a deal to resolve the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, stating that the situation cannot be resolved quickly.
As U.S. efforts to facilitate a peace agreement continue, frustrations grow over the slow progress made thus far.
In the context of the devastating war, a nighttime Russian drone attack targeted Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, leaving at least 45 civilians wounded.
Recent reports from the United Nations indicate that civilian casualties have surged in Ukraine amidst ongoing hostilities and attempts by Washington to mediate peace.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed support for a ceasefire before any peace negotiations can begin, though he emphasized the need to address various concerns and nuances first.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that the resolution to the crisis is far too intricate to expedite.
There are numerous details to resolve before a settlement can be reached, he noted during a daily conference call with reporters.
U.S. President Donald Trump has voiced his frustrations over the slow pace of negotiations linked to the war, highlighting his belief that he could bring a swift end to the conflict within the first day of his new administration in January.
European leaders have accused Putin of stalling as his forces continue to attempt seizing additional territory in Ukraine.
Since the full-scale invasion launched on February 24, 2022, Russian military forces have captured nearly a fifth of Ukraine’s land.
Trump has criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for decisions he believes prolong the conflict and has previously rebuked Putin for complicating negotiations with what he termed an ill-timed escalation of attacks on Ukrainian territory.
The U.S. administration has warned that it might withdraw from peace talks if no productive solutions emerge, signalling a potential end to vital military assistance for Ukraine and intensified economic sanctions on Russia.
On Tuesday, the U.S. State Department urged both sides to present concrete proposals to resolve the conflict.
Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce quoted U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stating that the direction moving forward lies with President Trump.
If substantial progress isn’t made, Bruce added, the U.S. may reconsider its role as mediators in the process.
Russia, meanwhile, has dismissed a U.S. proposal for an immediate and unconditional 30-day ceasefire, instead linking it to Ukraine’s military mobilization efforts and Western arms supplies to Kyiv.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov highlighted that Ukraine had only called for an unconditional truce because it is losing ground on the battlefield, where Russian forces maintain an advantage.
Lavrov indicated that previous ceasefire agreements have been marred by allegations of violations from both sides, complicating any path toward a stable resolution.
As the conflict persists, Ukrainian civilians have faced daily attacks, with the U.N. reporting verified civilian casualties continuing to climb in 2024.
The U.N. Human Rights Office reported on Tuesday that it had confirmed 2,641 civilian casualties in Ukraine during the first quarter of the year, representing an increase of nearly 900 compared to the same period in the previous year.
Furthermore, civilian casualties between April 1 and April 24 reportedly rose by 46% compared to the same timeframe a year prior.
In recent military actions, the Ukrainian air force reported that Russia had launched 108 Shahed and decoy drones at Ukraine within a 24-hour period, mainly targeting Dnipro and Kharkiv.
In a retaliatory move, the Ukrainian Security Service claimed that its drones struck the Murom Instrument Engineering Plant in Russia’s Vladimir region overnight, resulting in five explosions and incurring damage to the facility.
The plant is known for producing ammunition ignition devices and components for Russia’s Navy and military aviation, according to an unnamed source at the agency who was not authorized to disclose information publicly.
These claims of attacks cannot be independently verified.
As both the mineral resources agreement and ongoing military actions unfold, the situation in Ukraine continues to represent a significant and complex geopolitical challenge.
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