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US President Donald Trump has announced that a long-discussed deal giving the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals is back on track and close to being signed.
Speaking from the White House, he confirmed that alongside boosting domestic production, his administration is securing agreements worldwide, including in Ukraine.
“We're doing very well with regard to Ukraine and Russia. And one of the things we are doing is signing a deal very shortly with respect to rare earths with Ukraine, which they have tremendous value in rare earth, and we appreciate that.”
Following separate calls with his Ukrainian and Russian counterparts, Mr Trump is confident he can negotiate an end to the conflict.
“We spoke yesterday with, as you know, President Putin (Russian President Vladimir Putin) and President Zelenskyy (Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy), and we would love to see that come to an end. And I think we're doing pretty well in that regard. So hopefully we could save thousands of people a week from dying. That's what it's all about. They're dying so unnecessarily and I believe we'll get it done. We'll see what happens. But I believe we'll get it done. “
Meanwhile, Russia has confirmed that negotiations over a Ukraine ceasefire will continue in the coming days, following talks between President Putin and President Trump.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says both leaders discussed who would represent their countries in these upcoming talks but final details are still being worked out.
“We expect that the negotiations will continue at the expert level in the coming days. This was discussed, and the presidents also spoke about the need for such negotiations. They spoke about who could represent the countries at such negotiations.”
The discussions, set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, will also address the Black Sea shipping initiative, an effort to secure safe passage for trade.
However, Mr Peskov claims that while Russia met its obligations under the previous agreement, its conditions were never fulfilled.
“The signals from Brussels and other European capitals mainly concern plans to militarise Europe, which are in clear discord with the Russian and US Presidents’ intention to find ways for a peaceful settlement. Europe has so far, so to speak, engaged in militarisation and has turned into a party of war.”
His comments come as EU leaders gathered in Brussels to discuss their security strategy and support for Ukraine.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in-attendance via video call.
He made an urgent plea to European leaders, warning them that Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure have not stopped, despite Moscow’s claims of being ready for peace.
Speaking from Oslo where he met with Norway’s Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, President Zelenskyy tells the European Council that Ukraine still faces relentless strikes day and night.
“Yesterday evening a new Russian strike hit our energy infrastructure. We, in Ukraine face this every day and night, you know it, and despite Putin's words about allegedly being ready to stop the attacks, nothing has changed. ... One moment they give their word and a few hours later, it means absolutely nothing. That's why we must keep pushing Russia toward peace together with you, of course, with United States and with all our other partners, we can do this”
Mr Zelenskyy is calling for stronger European support, especially in military aid, air defence, and artillery funding.
He directly appealed for at least five billion Euros in urgent assistance
“It's crucial that your support for Ukraine does not decrease but instead continues and grows. And this is especially true for air defence, military aid and our overall resilience. We need funds for artillery shells. And I would really appreciate your support with at least five billion Euros as soon as possible.”
This comes as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets with senior military leaders in Northwood, England, to discuss plans for an international peacekeeping force in Ukraine.
With a partial ceasefire agreement seemingly now on the table between Russia and Ukraine, leaders across Europe and beyond are working to ensure that any deal is not just words on paper, but something that can be enforced.
“A deal without anything behind it is something that Putin will breach. We know that because it's happened before and I'm absolutely clear in my mind it will happen again. Therefore, what you're doing here today is vitally important to peace and security across Europe. And for our NATO allies and, of course, crucially for the United Kingdom.”
Sir Keir stressed the need for solid defence plans, covering everything from border security to air and sea protection, to prevent any Russian incursions into European territories.
“What's happening here is turning that political intention into reality, the concept into plans, whether that's in relation to what might happen at sea or air or defending borders and those plans are coming together.”
Meanwhile, The United Nations has welcomed agreements between President Trump and President Putin on an energy infrastructure ceasefire and talks on Black Sea navigation safety.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised the progress, calling it a step toward stability in Ukraine.
