Ukraine is pushing for a mineral deal with the US, as President Zelenskyy seeks to close a stalled agreement in exchange for aid. A fresh start for negotiations marks a new era in relations between the two nations.
Ukraine is sending a major delegation to Washington this week, hoping to close a mineral deal that has been stalled for weeks. The administration of President Donald Trump has demanded guarantees for a large US business presence in a post-war Ukraine as well as some mineral rights in the country in exchange for aid.
The current draft of the deal has not been made public, but it is understood that one sticking point is aid provided to Ukraine by the US under former President Joe Biden. Zelenskyy has said he will not agree to view that aid as loans that must be repaid.
Key Questions Remain Unanswered
Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that Moscow is willing to go back to the negotiating table, but several key questions remain unanswered. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that a ‘whole range’ of questions have to be answered before a peace deal can be reached. These questions include the future of Ukraine and whether Moscow or the West will have more influence in Kyiv.
The Russia-Ukraine negotiations have a complex history dating back to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The two countries signed the Budapest Memorandum in 1994, guaranteeing Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity in exchange for relinquishing its nuclear arsenal. However, tensions escalated after Ukraine's pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych was ousted in 2014, leading to Russia's annexation of Crimea and support for separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. Since then, multiple rounds of negotiations have been held under the Minsk agreements, aiming to establish a ceasefire and restore Ukraine's control over its territory.
Aerial Attacks Continue
Meanwhile, Russia has continued its aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy‘s hometown of Kryvyi Rih. The attack on Kryvyi Rih resulted in 18 deaths, with Zelenskyy calling the muted response from allies in the US ‘surprisingly disappointing.’
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has seen a significant escalation in recent years, with aerial attacks becoming a major concern.
According to reports, since 2014, Russia has conducted over 1,000 airstrikes against Ukrainian positions, resulting in significant damage and loss of life.
The majority of these attacks have targeted government-held areas, including cities and military installations.
The use of aerial bombardment by Russia has been widely condemned by the international community, with many countries calling for a ceasefire and diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
Zelenskyy also stated that the number of airstrikes was dramatically increasing, and that the pressure on Moscow from the international community was ‘insufficient.’ At the same time, Russia claimed to have captured two villages in eastern Ukraine.
The Ukraine-Russia conflict has its roots in the 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia.
The crisis escalated with ongoing separatist movements in eastern Ukraine, particularly in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Since then, there have been reports of military buildup, ceasefire violations, and civilian casualties.
According to the 'United Nations', over 13,000 people have been killed since 2014.
The conflict has also led to a significant displacement of people, with millions affected by the crisis.
A New Era for Mineral Deal Negotiations
The Ukrainian delegation to Washington will include representatives of the economy, foreign, justice, and finance ministries. They will aim to align on project selection, legal frameworks, and long-term investment mechanisms with US partners. The new negotiations mark a fresh start for the mineral deal, which has been stalled since Ukraine’s Zelenskyy left a White House meeting after being insulted by President Trump.
