Source AFP: Zelensky is not yet ready to finalize an agreement with the U.S. regarding resources.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is not yet ready to sign an agreement with the United States regarding mineral extraction, as reported on Saturday by the France-Presse agency citing a source within the Ukrainian leadership.

U.S. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz stated the day before, on Friday, that Zelensky would "soon" sign the deal. Donald Trump himself, speaking on Saturday at a conservative gathering in National Harbor, Maryland, expressed the opinion that the U.S. is "close enough to an agreement." He reiterated that the United States wants to reclaim billions in military aid. Washington is asking for rare earth metals, oil, or "anything we can get," noted Trump. At the same time, he described the deal as part of efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

"In its current form, the project is not something the Ukrainian president is ready to accept. We are still trying to make changes and add constructiveness," said the AFP source familiar with the situation.

The details of the discussed agreement are mainly revealed through leaks to Western media, notes "RBK-Ukraine", adding that on Saturday, Western media published several articles about the future deal.

The The New York Times reported, in particular, that Ukraine received a new version of the agreement from the United States, but some conditions turned out to be even stricter than in the previous version, which was deemed burdensome in Kyiv. The terms of the new agreement require Ukraine to forfeit half of its revenues from natural resources, including minerals, gas, and oil, as well as from ports and other infrastructure. This requirement was also present in the previous version of the deal, which became known on February 14.

The new document states that revenues from Ukraine's resources will be directed to a fund in which the United States will hold a 100% financial stake, while Ukraine will contribute to this fund until it reaches 500 billion. This is the amount that U.S. President Donald Trump demanded from Kyiv.

Additionally, The New York Times indicates that the new version of the deal still does not provide any specific commitments from the U.S. regarding security guarantees for Ukraine and support for its ongoing efforts against the Russian military invasion. The draft simultaneously mentions that the United States intends to provide long-term financial commitments to help Ukraine develop economically.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized on Saturday in a column for the British newspaper Financial Times that the economic partnership between Washington and Kyiv would benefit both countries. According to Bessent, the U.S. proposed that revenues generated by the Ukrainian government from natural resources, infrastructure, and other assets be directed to a fund focused on the long-term recovery and development of Ukraine. Meanwhile, the U.S. will hold economic rights and management functions in these future investments, Bessent adds.

• After taking office in January, U.S. President Donald Trump drastically changed his approach to foreign policy issues, taking diplomatic steps toward the Kremlin while simultaneously demanding that Ukraine provide its natural resources, including rare earth metals, to compensate for the military aid received from the previous American administration led by Joe Biden.
• Ukraine agreed to the prospect of partnership with the U.S. regarding its natural reserves to persuade Trump to provide additional support for its military efforts. President Volodymyr Zelensky is also seeking security guarantees for Ukraine, but this condition, according to reports about the deal, has yet to be met.
• Negotiations between the U.S. and Ukraine are taking place against a backdrop of increasingly sharp statements from the leaders of both countries. Trump recently referred to Zelensky as a "dictator without elections." He also stated that there is no need for Zelensky's presence at peace talks regarding Ukraine. Zelensky said that Trump lives in a "space of disinformation." The situation is causing concern in Kyiv and European countries.