**US Close to Rare Earth Minerals Deal with Ukraine**
The United States is close to signing a deal with Ukraine that will give Washington access to the country‘s rare earth mineral deposits in exchange for continued military aid. This was claimed by US President Donald Trump on February 21.
Trump said that the Ukrainians want this deal and are happy about it. In return, they will get their money back. The two countries have been negotiating a deal since early February.
The latest round of talks follow a week of tensions between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump had called Zelensky a “dictator” and blamed Ukraine for starting the war with Russia. However, a visit from Trump’s Special Envoy on Ukraine and Russia seemed to ease tensions.
**Background**
The US wants access to Ukraine’s rare earth mineral deposits in exchange for continued military aid. Earlier in the day, US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz predicted that Zelensky would sign the deal “in the very short term.”
Zelensky said that the agreement could improve relations between the US and Ukraine if it is successful. The US has revised its initial proposal to better align with Ukrainian law.
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