America News Agency

According to three senior Ukrainian officials, Ukraine and the US reached an economic agreement that includes the exploitation of Ukrainian minerals.

One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that Kyiv hopes the agreement will improve its relations with Washington and secure long-term support from the US, which Ukraine urgently needs.

They also added that plans are being made for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to visit Washington to meet with US President Donald Trump.

Responding to journalists' questions about the possible visit, Trump said: "I’ve heard about it. I heard he’s coming on Friday. Of course, if he wants to and wants to sign it with me, I have no problem with that."

Last week, Trump called the Ukrainian leader a "dictator" and warned Zelensky that sooner or later he would have to reach a peace agreement, or else "he will have no country left."

The US had previously proposed an agreement in which Ukraine would grant access to its rare earth minerals in exchange for support from Washington, but Zelensky rejected it, saying it did not provide sufficient security guarantees.

On Sunday, during a forum in Kyiv attended by government officials, Zelensky stated: "We need security guarantee formats for Ukraine, first and foremost from Europe and undoubtedly from the United States."

Although reports suggest the new agreement also lacks clear security guarantees, Ukrainian officials claim it offers more favorable conditions than the previous one.

On Tuesday, in an interview with the Financial Times, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna said: "The minerals agreement is just part of the picture. We have repeatedly heard from the US administration that this is part of a larger plan."