• Ukraine has negotiated a minerals deal with the US that may lead to future security guarantees.
• The agreement is set for signing during President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Washington.
• Former President Donald Trump's demand for access to Ukraine's resources reflects a major shift in US foreign policy.

Ukraine has finalized the terms of a significant minerals deal with the United States, with a signing anticipated as early as Friday, February 28. A senior official described this agreement as an effort to secure future security guarantees from Washington amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. The deal, coming on the heels of a transformative shift in US foreign policy under President Donald Trump, is viewed as a strategic move by Kyiv to fortify its relationship with the current administration.

As outlined in reports from South China Morning Post, the United States has requested that Ukraine grant access to its rare earth minerals to offset the substantial aid it has received during the ongoing conflict with Russia. While Trump framed the mineral access as a form of compensation for the over $60 billion in military assistance provided to Ukraine since the invasion, the agreement includes a newly established fund for shared investments between Ukraine and the US.

A source familiar with the negotiations indicated that while the draft of the deal references “security,” it does not detail specific commitments from the US—a crucial stipulation from Kyiv. “There is a general clause that says America will invest in a stable and prosperous sovereign Ukraine, that it works for a lasting peace, and that America supports efforts to guarantee security,” the source asserted, according to Channel News Asia.

In an unusual turn of events, Trump has engaged in dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, creating unease among Ukraine’s allies. During recent meetings, Trump indicated optimism surrounding the minerals agreement, labeling it as a potential “trillion-dollar deal.” However, this inflated figure starkly contrasts with more realistic estimates of the value of Ukraine's mineral assets, previously underscored by a demand for $500 billion in exchange for rare earth minerals. According to sources, the US has removed such clauses unfavorable to Ukraine from the deal, with an official stating, “They removed all the clauses that did not suit us,” as reported by Le Monde.

The negotiations occur amidst signs of potential rifts in transatlantic relations, with European leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron cautioning Trump that peace cannot lead to Ukraine's surrender. Macron's discussions with Trump reflected concerns that a pivot in US policy could have long-term consequences for European security. Discussions on the minerals deal were also joined by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, expressing the necessity of US backing to deter future aggressions from Russia.

As the situation continues to evolve, Ukraine remains focused on the minerals deal as a conduit for strengthening ties with the US while navigating the complex landscape of its foreign relations, particularly with the implications of Trump's administration.