Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed on Wednesday that Ukraine is ready to agree to a minerals deal with the Trump administration after requesting some last-minute changes.
During a cabinet meeting at the White House, Bessent told reporters that the United States is “ready to sign” the deal “this afternoon” if Ukraine is on board. Ukrainian officials are in Washington, D.C., to hash out the final technicalities of the agreement, and after some last-minute minor changes to the deal on Tuesday night, Bessent is hopeful that the deal will finally be signed.
“The Ukrainians decided last night to make some last-minute changes. We’re sure that they will reconsider that, and we are ready to sign this afternoon if they are,” the Treasury Secretary said.
He added that Ukraine’s changes don’t have any major effect on the overall minerals agreement.
.@SecScottBessent on the minerals deal with Ukraine: “Our side is ready to sign. The Ukrainians decided last night to make some last-minute changes. We’re sure that they will reconsider that and we are ready to sign this afternoon if they are.” pic.twitter.com/U4Pp0i0Dzn
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 30, 2025
Both sides have already agreed to the main part of the deal but are working through “some technical elements,” according to Bloomberg, which cited sources familiar with the discussion. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said earlier on Wednesday that the agreement “will be signed in the near future, hopefully within 24 hours.” Shmyhal added that Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko is traveling to D.C. to sign the deal.
The minerals agreement would give the United States access to some of Ukraine’s vital natural resources, including aluminum, graphite, oil, and natural gas, Bloomberg reported. In return, Ukraine will receive continued military assistance and guarantees from the United States to help “the long-term reconstruction and modernization of Ukraine, in response to the large-scale destruction caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion,” according to a draft of the agreement. According to Shmyhal, the latest draft of the agreement ties the United States and Ukraine together for 10 years, the Associated Press reported.
The deal has been months in the making after hitting a roadblock when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was chided by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office in late February. Following heated discussion, Zelensky was asked to leave the White House without signing the minerals deal.
Trump has been pushing Ukraine and Russia to come to terms on a peace deal to end the war, but he has grown increasingly frustrated with both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin over the lack of progress. A signed minerals deal, however, would be a major step forward for the Trump administration in its foreign policy talks with Ukraine and would come as Trump celebrates his first 100 days back in office.
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[[{“value”:”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed on Wednesday that Ukraine is ready to agree to a minerals deal with the Trump administration after requesting some last-minute changes.
During a cabinet meeting at the White House, Bessent told reporters that the United States is “ready to sign” the deal “this afternoon” if Ukraine is on board. Ukrainian officials are in Washington, D.C., to hash out the final technicalities of the agreement, and after some last-minute minor changes to the deal on Tuesday night, Bessent is hopeful that the deal will finally be signed.
“The Ukrainians decided last night to make some last-minute changes. We’re sure that they will reconsider that, and we are ready to sign this afternoon if they are,” the Treasury Secretary said.
He added that Ukraine’s changes don’t have any major effect on the overall minerals agreement.
.@SecScottBessent on the minerals deal with Ukraine: “Our side is ready to sign. The Ukrainians decided last night to make some last-minute changes. We’re sure that they will reconsider that and we are ready to sign this afternoon if they are.” pic.twitter.com/U4Pp0i0Dzn
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 30, 2025
Both sides have already agreed to the main part of the deal but are working through “some technical elements,” according to Bloomberg, which cited sources familiar with the discussion. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said earlier on Wednesday that the agreement “will be signed in the near future, hopefully within 24 hours.” Shmyhal added that Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko is traveling to D.C. to sign the deal.
The minerals agreement would give the United States access to some of Ukraine’s vital natural resources, including aluminum, graphite, oil, and natural gas, Bloomberg reported. In return, Ukraine will receive continued military assistance and guarantees from the United States to help “the long-term reconstruction and modernization of Ukraine, in response to the large-scale destruction caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion,” according to a draft of the agreement. According to Shmyhal, the latest draft of the agreement ties the United States and Ukraine together for 10 years, the Associated Press reported.
The deal has been months in the making after hitting a roadblock when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was chided by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office in late February. Following heated discussion, Zelensky was asked to leave the White House without signing the minerals deal.
Trump has been pushing Ukraine and Russia to come to terms on a peace deal to end the war, but he has grown increasingly frustrated with both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin over the lack of progress. A signed minerals deal, however, would be a major step forward for the Trump administration in its foreign policy talks with Ukraine and would come as Trump celebrates his first 100 days back in office.
“}]]
