Ukraine signals readiness to sign key minerals deal with US after White House standoff

Ukrainian officials have indicated their willingness to sign a critical minerals agreement with the US, days after an initial plan to finalize the deal at the White House collapsed during a tense meeting between President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Vice President JD Vance.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, one of the negotiators involved in the discussions with Zelenskyy regarding the minerals deal, was asked by CBS News’ "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan on March 2 whether the agreement was still under consideration, per Caliber.Az.

"Not at present," Bessent replied.

Multiple sources familiar with the situation have indicated that the deal is not finalized.

Furthermore, the terms of the agreement may change, as President Trump is reportedly seeking a "bigger, better deal," according to an individual with knowledge of the ongoing negotiations, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Administration officials confirmed to CBS that there were no plans on March 4 afternoon for President Trump or his senior advisers to sign the deal. However, in his address to a joint session of Congress later that evening, Trump mentioned receiving a letter from Zelenskyy earlier that day, in which the Ukrainian leader expressed readiness to sign the minerals agreement "at any time that is convenient to you."

"Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians," Zelenskyy wrote in a detailed post on social media on March 4. "My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump's strong leadership to get a peace that lasts."

Currently, approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, including large portions of the eastern Donbas region and Crimea, is under Russian control. This occupied land includes significant portions of Ukraine's mineral reserves, including rare earth elements essential for defence, aerospace, technology, and energy production.

Ukraine is believed to hold about 5% of the world’s total reserves of rare earth elements. By comparison, the US, which has a much larger landmass, is estimated to control only 1-2% of these crucial materials.

By Tamilla Hasanova