Kyiv, Washington still working on mineral agreement: will deal be signed today?

The Wall Street Journal reported the information, citing its own sources.

The outlet noted that the agreement is not yet finalized, but the negotiations are approaching the final stage.

A particularly important factor accelerating the agreement process was the three-day visit of the U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, to Kyiv. According to the publication, Kellogg managed to significantly strengthen the trust between the Ukrainian government and American partners, which in turn contributed to progress in the negotiations.

It is currently unclear when exactly the document will be signed. However, Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Honcharenko, citing his sources, stated that the agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. on minerals will be signed by Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, and U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.

Later, a source from the President's Office told Suspilne that the signing of the rare earth metals agreement will not take place today.

"There are still unanswered questions, the document requires further work," the source added.

Ukrainian discontent

Meanwhile, Sky News, citing an unnamed Ukrainian source, reports that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not yet ready to sign an agreement with the U.S. on the use of Ukrainian natural resources, allegedly due to "problematic issues" in its current version.

"At this point, the drafts of the agreement do not reflect a partnership and only contain unilateral obligations from Ukraine," the source added.

Ukraine, U.S. hold all-night talks on rare earth minerals deal

Earlier, Axios, citing a U.S. official and a source familiar with the situation, reported that the American side sent its latest version of the rare earth metals agreement on the evening of Thursday, February 20. According to the official, the goal of this version of the document is to "correct the situation" between Kyiv and Washington.

The article also states that a different official, not U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, was authorized to present the new proposal.

Sources add that the decision regarding the agreement now rests with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They are also concerned that the crisis in Ukrainian-American relations will deepen if Kyiv does not sign the document.

In particular, the U.S. official called it a "make or break" scenario for the Ukrainians.

Axios emphasizes that Zelenskyy was concerned about some provisions of the agreement proposed by Bessent and the lack of security guarantees.

"The American side returned with an 'improved' proposal earlier this week and has now made further changes," the publication adds.

At the same time, the terms of the new proposal from the U.S. administration remain unknown.

Exchange of Ukraine's rare earth metals for U.S. aid

Earlier, Donald Trump stated that he wants to negotiate with Ukraine about exchanging rare earth elements for U.S. aid. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the American leader's proposal.

Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak suggested that the U.S. president made the statement for the American audience.

Lieutenant Colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Deputy Commander of the 3rd Assault Brigade, Maxim Zhorin, also shared his opinion. The military officer is convinced that it is important not to let "all the resources be extracted to zero."

On Tuesday, February 4, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy assured that Ukraine is open to American investments.

On February 12, Zelenskyy held a meeting in Kyiv with U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent: Ukraine received the first draft of a partnership agreement from the United States.

The United States may close the sky above the Western peacekeeping forces in Ukraine in exchange for rare earth minerals, reports The Times, citing British government officials.

The Trump administration proposed that Ukraine give the U.S. 50% ownership of rare earth minerals and allow American troops to be stationed in the country for their protection in exchange for an agreement with Russia to end the war.

On February 16, it became known that the U.S. insists on controlling a broader range of Ukraine's resources, including rare metals and strategic materials. These include lithium, graphite, and uranium, which are sometimes confused with rare earth minerals.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that he would like to see "some level of gratitude" from Ukraine for the U.S.'s care. He accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of inconsistency regarding the mineral agreement.

On February 21, Bloomberg reported that the U.S. and Ukraine aim to finalize the minerals agreement by the end of the week.