US and Ukraine Strike Deal: Military Aid in Exchange for Natural Resource Exploration and Mining Rights

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is reportedly set to travel to Washington, DC, in the coming days after the United States and Ukraine reached an agreement on a deal involving natural resources and reconstruction, according to a Ukrainian official.

Negotiations have been ongoing for days, focusing on a deal that could grant the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals as part of broader efforts to end Russia’s invasion and secure U.S. involvement in a reconstruction fund for Ukraine.

A Ukrainian official told Reuters that the terms were finalized after “everything unacceptable was removed from the text, and it is now more clearly outlined how this agreement will contribute to Ukraine’s security and peace.”

While details of the agreement remain undisclosed, a major point of contention had been the Trump administration’s demand for a $500 billion share of Ukraine’s rare earth and other minerals in exchange for the aid already provided to Kyiv—a proposal previously rejected by Zelensky.

As of press time, the U.S. has not confirmed whether the terms of the deal have been finalized.

“I hear that (Zelensky is) coming on Friday. Certainly, it’s OK with me if he’d like to, and he would like to sign it together with me. And I understand that’s a big deal, very big deal,” US President Donald Trump said from the Oval Office on Tuesday, February 25.

Asked what Ukraine would receive in the mineral deal, Trump said: “$350 billion and lots of equipment, military equipment, and the right to fight on.”

“We’ve pretty much negotiated our deal on rare earth and various other things,” Trump told reporters, adding that “we’ll be looking to” future security for Ukraine “later on.”

“I don’t think that’s going to be a problem,” Trump said. “I spoke with Russia about it. They didn’t seem to have a problem with it. So I think they understand … once we do this, they’re not going back in.”

Ukraine has been advocating for security guarantees, with Kyiv not only focused on reclaiming lost territory but also seeking protection against potential future Russian aggression if a peace deal is reached.

European leaders have also emphasized the need for security guarantees for Ukraine as a prerequisite for any future peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. Following his meeting with Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron proposed on Monday enhancing Ukraine’s military capabilities and, if requested, deploying British and French troops to maintain peace.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is scheduled to visit the White House on Thursday, stated that a U.S. “backstop” is essential for any Ukraine peace deal. This could include security guarantees, American intelligence cooperation, air support, and heavy-lift transport.

According to CNN, a source revealed over the weekend that Zelensky could not accept an earlier version of the deal because it lacked American “obligations” while expecting Ukraine to “provide everything.”

During a visit to the White House on Monday, 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.”