US President Donald Trump has expressed appreciation for a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressing willingness to sign a minerals deal with the United States. The proposed agreement aims to bring a lasting peace closer in Ukraine’s conflict with Russia.
According to Trump, Zelenskiy had written to him saying he was ready to come to the negotiating table under his leadership to achieve a lasting peace. The US President quoted Zelenskiy as saying that Ukraine is prepared to sign the agreement at any time convenient for the United States.
Trump views the deal as part of America’s efforts to secure a peace deal in Ukraine, which would give the US a financial stake in the country’s future. He believes this will help earn back some of the tens of billions of dollars spent on military and financial aid since Russia invaded three years ago.
The proposal has been met with cautious optimism from European countries, including France and Britain, which have offered to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine if a ceasefire is agreed. However, Moscow has rejected such proposals.
A deal would mark a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and Trump’s comments suggest progress has been made.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/us-ukraine-prepare-sign-minerals-deal-tuesday-sources-say-2025-03-04