U.S., Ukraine push forward on critical minerals deal amid diplomatic tensions

Bloomberg reported the information, citing sources familiar with the discussions.

According to the publication, negotiations gained momentum during the visit of U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg to Kyiv, where talks focused on finalizing a deal that could grant the U.S. access to Ukraine’s valuable mineral resources.

Zelenskyy, who previously dismissed an initial U.S. proposal that would have allocated half of Ukraine’s mineral revenue to Washington, stated that his discussions with Kellogg had “restored hope.” The Ukrainian side has since suggested modifications to the agreement to ensure mutual benefits, amid criticism that the original draft resembled historical colonial practices.

U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly pushed for securing significant quantities of rare-earth elements, though experts note that Ukraine’s known reserves are primarily by-products of other mining operations and are not widely recognized as commercially viable. Some of the deposits are also located in Russian-controlled territories.

A completed minerals deal, tied to potential security guarantees for Kyiv, is viewed as a cornerstone of Trump’s broader strategy to resolve the ongoing conflict. The U.S. president has indicated he may soon engage in direct talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

“We need strong agreements with the United States—agreements that will truly work,” Zelenskyy emphasized in his nightly address, stressing the link between economic cooperation and national security.

Despite earlier setbacks, Washington continues to push forward, seeing the minerals deal as a means to strengthen U.S.-Ukraine ties while shaping future security commitments, particularly as European nations are expected to shoulder more responsibility in Ukraine’s defense.