**US Softens Demands on Ukraine Minerals Deal**
In a significant development, the Trump administration has reduced its demand for payback from Ukraine in exchange for aid under a minerals agreement. The revised figure is now $100 billion, down from an initial request of $300 billion.
According to Bloomberg, which broke the news on April 16, this move comes after technical consultations between US and Ukrainian delegates in Washington on April 11 and 12. While the talks were initially reported to be contentious, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the discussions concluded in a positive mood.
The agreement, which has been long-debated, aims to tap into Ukraine’s natural wealth, with the US seeking control over a joint investment fund managed by Washington. The Trump administration views this deal as a way to recoup billions of dollars in military and financial aid provided to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.
While the reduced demand is closer to Ukraine’s estimates, President Zelensky has previously emphasized that Kyiv does not see the previous assistance as debt. In fact, under the Biden administration, the US has donated significant volumes of arms and military equipment to Ukraine, with President Trump yet to allocate any new packages.
**A Glimmer of Hope?**
This revised demand may be seen as a positive step forward in negotiations between the two countries. Ukraine had submitted revised proposals during the latest round of talks, according to Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna, but it remains unclear how the US reacted to these submissions.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Bloomberg that significant progress has been made and that the deal could be signed as early as this week. While there is still much uncertainty surrounding the agreement, this development suggests that both sides are making an effort to find common ground.
**What’s Next?**
As talks continue, it will be crucial for Ukraine and the US to hammer out the details of the agreement. The hiring of American-British law firm Hogan Lovells to advise on negotiations has given Ukraine a strong voice in these discussions.
While this revised demand is a step forward, it remains unclear whether this will ultimately lead to a signed deal. As always, diplomacy is a complex and nuanced process.
