Ukraine signs Donald Trump's minerals deal in huge step toward peace agreement

There's been a major step toward a peace agreement as Ukraine has signed Donald Trump's minerals deal.

On Wednesday, Ukraine finally signed the minerals deal that President Trump had expected Zelensky to sign at the car crash summit in February, which saw the negotiations break down into a shouting match with Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office. The invaded country sent its Economy minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, to Washington earlier that day to put pen to paper on the key agreement.

A thawing in the recently frosty US-Ukraine relationship became apparent following the Pope's funeral at the last week, where Trump and finally met for a face-to-face meeting over the future of Ukraine, two months after their public White House bust-up.

Speaking to on Tuesday, Trump shared an insight into the sudden progress towards a Russia-Ukraine peace deal, saying of the Vatican meeting: "The moment was a moment of solace in a sense, because - tremendous numbers of people are dying. A lot of his people are dying. They're being killed, and I feel very badly about it."

The exact details of the agreement are not yet known, however, the basis of the deal is allowing the US government and American investors preferential access to 's large amount of natural resources, in lieu of paying the US back for its billions in military aid.

Yulia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of , said: "On behalf of the Government of , I signed the Agreement on the Establishment of a United States- Reconstruction Investment Fund. Together with the United States, we are creating the Fund that will attract global investment into our country."

It is hoped that the minerals deal will increase US financial interests in the country and help to deter future Russian aggression, should a peace deal be brokered. The revenues from the investment fund will also go to repay the estimated $175bn in aid since the beginning of the conflict.

US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said at the announcement: "Thanks to President Trump's tireless efforts to secure a lasting peace, I am glad to announce the signing of today's historic economic partnership agreement between the United States and Ukraine establishing the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund.

"As the President has said, the United States is committed to helping facilitate the end of this cruel and senseless war. This agreement signals clearly to Russia that the Trump Administration is committed to a peace process centered on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine over the long term.

"President Trump envisioned this partnership between the American people and the Ukrainian people to show both sides' commitment to lasting peace and prosperity in Ukraine. And to be clear, no state or person who financed or supplied the Russian war machine will be allowed to benefit from the reconstruction of Ukraine."

The agreement was met with praise from members of the Ukrainian government, including deputy economy minister Taras Kachka who described it as a "win win". Speaking to Axios, he said: "It is written in friendly language. it is about investments, investments and investments"

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