The U.S. and Ukraine have signed a long-awaited minerals deal. For President Donald Trump, the deal is about settling accounts. He says Kyiv owes Washington for the weapons and aid it's received to fight Russia. For Ukraine, it's a lifeline.

Kyiv

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

The United States and Ukraine have recently signed a minerals deal, marking a significant development in the ongoing relations between the two countries. The agreement gives the U.S. preferential access to Ukrainian resources, and President Volodymyr Zelensky described it as a meaningful result stemming from his recent Vatican meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. While negotiations posed challenges, Zelensky emphasized the deal's potential impact on Ukrainian relations and stability.

Despite the signing, the conflict in Ukraine persists, with active fighting continuing in several regions. The agreement comes during a time when Russian missiles and drones remain a threat to Ukrainian cities. In tandem with the minerals deal, the White House has authorized over $50 million in direct weapon sales to Ukraine, marking the first such approval since President Trump's return to office.

In a related development, Senator Lindsey Graham, an ally of President Trump, announced intentions to propose a bill that will impose tariffs and secondary sanctions on Russia. While there are hopes that these actions signal increased U.S. support for Ukraine against Russian aggression, the ongoing conflict and losses faced by Ukraine cast a shadow over the new economic agreement. Some Ukrainians express skepticism towards the U.S. government's motives, viewing Washington's involvement as profit-oriented amid the ongoing crisis.



U.S. and Ukraine sign minerals deal

A flagship moment in Ukraine-U.S. relations, a new mineral deal granting Americans preferential access to Ukrainian resources, hailed by President Volodymyr Zelensky as the first concrete outcome of his Vatican meeting with Donald Trump. VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY, President of Ukraine-U.S. Relations Secretary, Ukraine Although negotiations were sometimes difficult, the result is strong. The deal mends frayed relations and, many Ukrainians hope, signals an end to the war. Maybe this will have a good impact for Ukraine because it might push other countries to put pressure on the Russian government and maybe the war will finally end. But many Ukrainians remain wary, of the Trump administration, if not the American people. Whatever they're signing over there, they're doing it for their own benefit. It's a win for Trump. As a person, I don't trust him at all. Fighting in Kherson, fires in Odessa, unexploded bombs in Kyiv, attacks on Kharkiv, Sumy and Cherkassy. The deal was signed as the war carried on, Russian missiles and drones still raining down on Ukrainian cities. Kyiv has long hoped economic leverage could secure greater military support. And the day the deal was signed, the White House authorized more than $50 million in direct weapon sales to Ukraine. The first such approval since Trump returned to the White House. It was only weeks ago when President Zelensky announced his intentions to spend tens of billions of dollars on U.S. air defense systems. No doubt the hope in Kyiv now is that the latest approval of arms sales is only the beginning. Also on Wednesday, Trump ally Senator Lindsey Graham said he's ready to introduce a bill imposing tariffs and secondary sanctions on Russia. Clear steps away from Moscow, closer to Kyiv. But until the bombs stop falling, the moment is bittersweet. In order for it to stop, we have to pay something. We pay with human lives and with Ukrainian resources. It feels like Ukraine is being raped by everyone, and it hurts. Washington, some Ukrainians say, is seeking to make a profit while they are fighting a war. Zayn Basravi, Al Jazeera, Kyiv.

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Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Amnesty accuses Hamas of 'crimes against humanity' for Oct. 7 attack

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Rise of AI

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Council of the City of Sydney

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Washington

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Moscow

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Caracas

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Tokyo

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Samraong

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Rakhine

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Oslo

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Bangkok

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Minneapolis

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Canberra

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Pennsylvania

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Tel Aviv-Yafo

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Rome

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Manhattan

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London

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Ukraine Invasion