**Ukraine and US Sign Minerals Agreement**
US President Donald Trump announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Washington on February 28 to sign a minerals agreement between the two countries.
The deal establishes a fund where Ukraine will contribute 50% of proceeds from the “future monetization” of state-owned mineral resources, including oil, gas, and logistics infrastructure. This excludes revenue streams already flowing into Ukraine’s budget.
**Security Guarantees Not Included**
Security guarantees, a key issue for Kyiv, are not explicitly included in the agreement but will be discussed in future negotiations, Zelensky told journalists.
The final version of the deal drops earlier US demands for a $500 billion claim over Ukraine’s resources, which was a major sticking point. The agreement states that the US government “supports Ukraine’s efforts to obtain security guarantees needed to establish lasting peace.”
**Meeting with Trump**
Zelensky plans to use the meeting with Trump to ask about continued US support, Washington’s direct talks with Moscow, and the prospect of a broader strategy to end the war.
“I have already emphasized that it is unacceptable for us if decisions about us are made without us,” Zelensky said.
**US-Russia Talks**
The US and Russia held their first direct negotiations in Saudi Arabia on February 18, marking the first such meeting since Moscow’s full-scale invasion began. A second round of talks is set for February 27.
Trump suggested a ceasefire agreement was within reach: “Most importantly, by far, we’re going to make a deal with Russia and Ukraine to stop killing people.”
**Reaction from Kyiv**
While the agreement does not contain any concrete security guarantees, Ukraine secured more favorable terms and framed the deal as a way to strengthen ties with the US.
Ukrainian officials expressed concerns about Trump’s outreach to Moscow and his escalation of rhetoric against Zelensky.
