**Ukraine and US Negotiations on Natural Resources Deal**
A deal between Ukraine and the United States to manage Ukraine’s natural resources is still not finalized. The main reason for this delay is a disagreement over what terms should be included in the agreement.
US President Donald Trump wants a “bigger, better deal” than was previously agreed upon. This means that negotiations have been going on longer than expected. A meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had been planned for February 28 to sign the deal. However, this did not happen due to public disagreements between the two leaders.
The US has provided military aid to Ukraine in the past, but this was frozen after a disagreement over the mineral deal. Ukrainian President Zelensky called this decision “regrettable” and reaffirmed his commitment to signing the deal and working towards peace.
**What is in the Deal?**
The agreement would establish a fund that Ukraine contributes 50% of its profits from selling state-owned resources, including oil, gas, and infrastructure. The US has proposed three versions of the deal, but only one was accepted by Ukraine so far. However, even this version did not include any security agreements.
**Trump’s Concerns**
The Trump administration has been hesitant to make a commitment to Ukraine’s security. They argue that the economic agreement itself is a guarantee of Ukraine’s safety and that it should be Europe’s responsibility to defend Ukraine.
No final decision on the mineral deal has been made yet, and negotiations are ongoing.