Official: Ukraine moves forward with mineral deal

Advisor of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff Serhiy Leshchenko has confirmed that Ukraine is set to sign the version of the agreement on mineral resources prepared in late February, without any new additions regarding nuclear power plants (NPPs).

"We saw the desire to expand the agreement. However, the expanded version has not been presented yet; there is only the version that passed through the Cabinet of Ministers. It is ready for signing. This is the version that was sent for signing at the White House. There are no other versions," Leshchenko said in an interview with Rada TV, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

He further clarified that if any new version is proposed, it must first go through the Cabinet of Ministers, receive approval, and only then will it be ready for signing.

"As of today, if consultations are taking place, they are of a technical nature and without a political agreement," he added.

Leshchenko also addressed the question of what could potentially expand the agreement, noting US statements regarding control over Ukrainian nuclear power plants. 

"As of now, this is not included in the agreement," he emphasized.

Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump announced that the US administration and Ukrainian officials had almost finalized work on an agreement concerning rare earth elements and were set to sign it soon.

By Naila Huseynova