The United States and Ukraine are close to signing a framework agreement on mineral resources as early as this week, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. The breakthrough follows Ukraine’s announcement that it secured a major concession from the Trump administration: Washington will not count previous military assistance as part of the deal.
The development marks a significant step forward after the collapse of an earlier version of the agreement in February, when a signing ceremony was abruptly canceled amid a public dispute in the Oval Office between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Following that clash, Trump insisted that billions of dollars in U.S. military aid already provided to Ukraine should be treated as loans and repaid under the terms of the mineral resources agreement. Zelensky rejected the proposal.
“It has been decided that the assistance provided prior to the signing will not be counted,” Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said. A senior Ukrainian official confirmed that this decision could clear the way for the framework agreement to be finalized this week.
The breakthrough reportedly came after Trump and Zelensky met over the weekend at the Vatican. Trump described the meeting as “wonderful” and praised Zelensky for “doing a good job.” “He seems more composed. I think he understands the situation and wants to get a deal done,” Trump said.
Previously, senior Ukrainian officials told the Financial Times that using revenues from mineral resource sales to offset past military aid would threaten Ukraine’s sovereignty, potentially derail its European Union membership ambitions, and likely fail to gain parliamentary approval.
Many Ukrainian lawmakers, including members of Zelensky’s own ruling party, have expressed concerns over the mineral resources deal. Several told the Financial Times they would oppose any agreement that appeared unfavorable to Ukraine.
According to Ukrainian officials, the framework agreement under negotiation will cover all mineral resources across Ukraine, including oil, gas, and key energy assets.
