**Ukraine and US Discuss Minerals Deal**
The Ukrainian government is still talking to the US about a deal that would give Washington control over Ukraine’s natural resources. A source in President Volodymyr Zelensky‘s office told the Kyiv Independent on March 31 that they are discussing the deal.
The comments came after US President Donald Trump said he thought Zelensky wanted to back out of the agreement and warned that his refusal would have consequences. Trump also said Ukraine’s bid to join NATO was hopeless.
But the source in the Presidential Office said this is not true. “We are not tying (the minerals deal to NATO), it’s a misunderstanding,” they said.
**What is the Minerals Deal?**
The Financial Times reported on March 27 that the latest version of the agreement proposed by the US includes terms that would grant Washington control over Ukraine’s natural resources through a joint investment fund. This has raised concerns in Ukraine that the deal could contradict their EU accession due to severe restrictions affecting Ukraine’s economic sovereignty.
**Zelensky Speaks Out**
President Zelensky said on March 29 that Kyiv would not sign the deal if it threatened Ukraine’s EU membership. He also reiterated that he does not consider Washington’s aid to Kyiv a debt.
**US Aid to Ukraine**
The US has provided significant financial aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February last year. The latest tranche of funding, worth $400 million, was announced on March 29 and brings the total amount distributed by the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program to $10.1 billion over four years.
**Other News**
In other news, a French court found Marine Le Pen guilty of embezzling EU funds and banned her from running for public office “with immediate effect”. The war in Ukraine continues to be a major topic of discussion, with US soldiers and equipment missing in Lithuania and Russian forces launching drone attacks on Ukraine.
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