Andrii Sybiha, Ukrainian foreign minister, said that Ukraine and the United States will work together to create a contract for a mineral deal that both countries can agree on.
Sybiha said at a press briefing that a round of consultations on a revised draft of the mineral deal had already taken place and that a contract ensuring a strong American presence in Ukraine will contribute to its security infrastructure.
Sybiha stated, “This process will be continued and we will work together with our American counterparts to achieve a contract that is mutually acceptable for signing.”
The statement was made after Donald Trump warned the Ukrainian leader that if he backed out of the agreement, he would be in big trouble.
Washington offered Kyiv an expanded mineral deal after both sides failed to sign a framework agreement during Zelenskyy’s visit to the U.S. in late February, which ended with Trump berating Zelenskyy in the Oval Office.
The revised proposal requires Kyiv to send Washington the entire profit of a fund that controls Ukrainian resources until Ukraine has repaid its wartime aid plus interest.
Zelenskyy stated, “Ukraine will not accept any deal concerning mineral rights that threatens its integration with the EU. However, it is too early to judge the revised agreement.”