**Ukraine and US Agree on Minerals Deal**
The government of Ukraine has agreed to a major minerals deal with the United States. A senior official in Kyiv said the agreement is a “positive outcome” but did not provide further details.
**Key Points**
* The US had initially demanded $500 billion in potential revenue from using Ukraine’s natural resources.
* Washington dropped this demand, but did not give firm security guarantees to war-torn Ukraine.
* A reconstruction investment fund will be set up by the two countries.
* Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio are expected to sign the deal.
**Background**
US President Donald Trump had been pushing for access to Ukraine’s minerals in return for previous military aid. However, this was met with resistance from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who argued that the country cannot afford to sell its natural resources.
**Concerns**
Russia has recently offered the US access to rare minerals, including those from occupied regions of Ukraine. This has raised concerns in Kyiv and across Europe that they might be excluded from negotiations aimed at ending the war.
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