**Ukraine and US Minerals Deal Hits Last-Minute Snag**
A crucial minerals agreement between the United States and Ukraine has hit a last-minute snag, sparking doubts about whether the deal will be signed on time. According to a report by the Financial Times, disagreements over final terms have raised concerns that the framework deal may not be finalized.
The issue centers around the US side’s insistence that Ukraine sign a detailed fund agreement as part of the overall package. However, Ukrainian officials have refused, saying they cannot finalize both agreements at once. The country’s parliament must first ratify the fund agreement, which would require technical work and parliamentary approval.
This development has sparked tension between the two nations, with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s team reportedly telling First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko to “be ready to sign all agreements, or go back home.” Ukrainian officials have countered that they are ready to proceed with the framework deal and will submit it to parliament for ratification once signed.
**A Long-Running Dispute**
The minerals deal has been under discussion for months, becoming a point of contention between President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump. The two leaders had a heated argument in February moments before the deal was set to be signed, highlighting the challenges in finalizing this agreement.
**What’s Next?**
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said that once the framework agreement is signed, it will be submitted to parliament for ratification. He hopes to finalize the details within the next day and sign the agreement by May 1. The US side operates under a different legal framework, allowing them to verify the deal without parliamentary approval.
As tensions rise between Ukraine and the US, many are watching closely to see how this dispute will be resolved. Will the two nations be able to put aside their differences and finalize the minerals deal? Only time will tell.
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