Ukraine says it carried out 1st round of consultations with US on mineral deal proposal

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that Kyiv received the text of the US expanded deal on mineral resources on March 28.

“I also confirm to you that we have begun appropriate consultations with the American side regarding the text of the agreement,” Sybiha said during a joint press conference with his Lithuanian counterpart Kestutis Budrys in the capital Kyiv.

Sybiha said that a round of consultations has already taken place, but did not provide details about the talks.

“The Ukrainian side is determined to conclude a document that would meet the mutual national interests of both the United States and Ukraine,” he said, arguing that the text of the deal will contribute to his country’s security infrastructure.

“We will work with our American colleagues to reach a mutually acceptable text for signing,” he added.

On March 28, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv had officially received a new draft agreement from the US on a critical minerals deal.

The initial draft was supposed to be signed when Zelenskyy visited the White House on Feb. 28, but the meeting fell apart after a highly rare feud developed, with US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance berating the Ukrainian leader and accusing him of being ungrateful for years of American support.