WASHINGTON/KYIV. The United States and Ukraine are preparing to sign a highly debated minerals agreement, four sources confirmed on Tuesday, following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s expression of regret over last week’s tense Oval Office exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to three sources, Trump has indicated his desire to announce the agreement during his major address to Congress on Tuesday evening. However, they cautioned that the deal had not yet been signed and that the situation remained fluid.
Neither the White House, Ukraine’s presidential administration in Kyiv, nor the Ukrainian embassy in Washington immediately responded to requests for comment.
Zelenskiy Seeks to “Make Things Right”
The developments come as tensions between Washington and Kyiv escalated following Trump’s abrupt decision on Monday to pause U.S. military aid to Ukraine. In response, Zelenskiy stated on Tuesday that he was prepared “any time and in any convenient format” to finalize an agreement granting the U.S. access to Ukrainian minerals.
“None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible … Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians,” Zelenskiy wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Zelenskiy left the minerals deal unsigned during his recent visit to Washington after a contentious meeting with Trump in the Oval Office on Friday. In his statement, he acknowledged the diplomatic strain and sought to mend ties.
“My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts,” he wrote.
While Zelenskiy’s statement did not mention the pause in U.S. military assistance, it appeared to be an effort to reaffirm Kyiv’s gratitude following what sources described as a heated White House meeting.
“We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence,” Zelenskiy wrote. “Our meeting in Washington … did not go the way it was supposed to be. It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right.”
Path to Peace and Future Agreements
Zelenskiy also proposed steps toward a potential peace agreement, stating that the process could begin with a prisoner exchange and a halt to air and sea attacks—provided Russia reciprocated.
“Then we want to move very fast through all the next stages and to work with the U.S. to agree a strong final deal,” he added.
The minerals deal, if finalized, could mark a significant step in U.S.-Ukraine relations, but uncertainties remain, particularly in light of the shifting dynamics between Washington and Kyiv under Trump’s administration. Further developments are expected as both sides continue negotiations.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
