Kyiv, Ukraine's Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko informed The Associated Press that Ukraine is preparing to engage in negotiations in Washington next week for a new agreement granting the U.S. access to Ukraine's vital mineral resources. The U.S. has proposed a new draft indicating the intention to establish a fund or engage in joint investments, as stated by Svyrydenko during her visit to northern Ukraine. The Kyiv delegation will consist of representatives from various ministries.

The negotiation process for the mineral deal has caused strains between Kyiv and Washington. Plans to sign a framework agreement in February were disrupted after a meeting in the Oval Office between U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A leaked copy of the new draft drew criticism for potentially diminishing Ukraine's sovereignty over its natural resources and infrastructure. The draft includes not only rare-earth elements but also gas and oil, all of which Ukraine possesses in substantial amounts.

Though Ukrainian officials signaled interest in finalizing the agreement to gain favor with President Trump and strengthen support in countering Russia's invasion, uncertainties arose regarding the U.S.'s decision to skip the framework deal and move towards a broader draft requiring potential approval by Ukraine's parliament. Svyrydenko emphasized that the current draft represents the U.S. Treasury's legal team's standpoint and that Ukraine aims to create a negotiation team, establish red lines, and send a delegation for technical discussions in Washington soon.