2 w. ago Syria offered to build Trump Tower in Damascus before presidents’ meeting

Syria also offered the US president a Ukraine-style mineral deal

Politics

3 w. ago Ukraine’s strong economy is a great asset, but the US mineral deal shows how fragile it could be | Luke Cooper

Kyiv still relies heavily on foreign support for its war effort, and it has agreed to difficult terms to keep the US on sideDespite Russia’s occupation of its territory, missile attacks on its infrastructure and the enormous human costs of the war, Ukraine’s economy has been impressively resilient. Its effective military resistance against a much stronger adversary is in fact underpinned by this successful economic management. Rather than face institutional sclerosis or even collapse, Ukraine’s state capacity has been strengthened by the conflict. Through a combination of tax revenue collection and substantial networks of voluntary fundraising, the state has dramatically increased the size of its armed forces, invested in defence production and maintained a decent level of public infrastructure.State spending on soldiers’ wages, infrastructure and logistics – including public sector procurement from private firms – has had a positive knock-on effect, supporting demand in the civilia...

Economics

3 w. ago Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy hails ‘historic’ minerals deal as an equal partnership with US

Ukrainian president says the deal was the result of Vatican meeting with Donald Trump. What we know on day 1,164See all our Ukraine war coverage Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago The minerals deal is advantageous for Ukraine – but also for the United States

Editorial: The ‘Art of the Deal’ may have been Donald Trump’s abiding contribution to literature but it is Volodymyr Zelensky, it now seems, who used his personal diplomacy with the US president during the funeral for Pope Francis to excellent effect

Economics

3 w. ago The Guardian view on the US and Ukraine: is the natural resources agreement a big deal? | Editorial

The White House calls it ‘historic’. A more realistic estimate is that while Ukraine is glad to sign, this is not a shift in the big pictureThe Trump administration, with its customary rhetorical inflation, has hailed its mineral deal with Ukraine as “historic”. What the world’s most powerful nation says and does matters. But how much? And for how long? This is a government of caprice and chaos – losing its national security adviser, Mike Waltz, on Thursday after only three months in the job. Attempting to connect the data points can be like trying to join up the bug splats on a windscreen. The real issue is that the vehicle is still following the signs for Moscow.This moment looks like a high because US-Ukraine ties hit such a low, particularly with the Oval Office bullying of Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reports that Washington is willing to recognise annexed Crimea as Russian. Key details of this deal have yet to be finalised in a technical agreement. The idea originated with Kyi...

Economics

3 w. ago Trump approves first weapons shipment to Ukraine since becoming president, report says, after minerals deal agreed – Europe live

Trump administration suspended delivery of US military aid to Ukraine in March but is now set to restore exportsUkraine and the US signed a long-awaited minerals deal last night, signaling a major step forward in bilateral relations. But the full text of the agreement, including key details on the contentious small print issues that dragged out negotiations, has yet to be made public.Ukrainian prime minister Denys Shmyhal suggested yesterday that the process of ratifying the agreement could start today, with party consultations. Expect more details to emerge. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago At least 9 dead in drone strikes after US and Ukraine sign minerals deal

Moscow-appointed officials in Ukraine's Kherson region say a Ukrainian drone attack killed seven and wounded more than 20 people

Events

3 w. ago What minerals does Ukraine have and why does Trump want them?

Ukraine has a number of critical minerals that have crucial uses in defence systems, technology manufacturing and green energy

Politics

3 w. ago Devastating aftermath of Russian drone attack on Odesa as minerals deal struck

Ukrainian emergency services tackled huge fires in Odesa following a Russian drone attack that took place in the early hours of Thursday (1 May), according to the local authorities.

Events

3 w. ago Donald Trump made bombshell admission to Zelensky during Pope funeral faceoff

While President Donald Trump pushed President Volodymyr Zelensky to sign the US-Ukraine mineral deal - which was formally agreed last night - Zelensky wanted Trump to take a harsher stance on Putin

Events

3 w. ago Ukraine has prised Trump away from the Kremlin with minerals deal in triumph of diplomacy

The US-Ukraine mineral deal is good for both countries and the first sign that Trump may turn away from Putin, world affairs editor Sam Kiley writes

Politics

3 w. ago Ukraine’s PM hails ‘good and equal’ minerals deal with US – Europe live

Ukraine to retain ‘full control over resources and infrastructure’ under agreement, says Denys Shmyhal Full report: US and Ukraine sign minerals deal that solidifies investment in Kyiv’s defense against RussiaUkraine and the US signed a long-awaited minerals deal last night, signaling a major step forward in bilateral relations. But the full text of the agreement, including key details on the contentious small print issues that dragged out negotiations, has yet to be made public.Ukrainian prime minister Denys Shmyhal suggested yesterday that the process of ratifying the agreement could start today, with party consultations. Expect more details to emerge. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Rolls Royce reveals 'optimism' as Royal Mail takeover rubber

Watch today’s business headlines in less than two minutes as a Birmingham bin strikes deal edges closer, Royal Mail’s takeover is approved and the US and Ukraine sign deal to share mineral sales profits.

Politics

3 w. ago US Ukraine mineral deal: What minerals does Ukraine have? What does the deal mean?

A minerals deal, which was on the table in February before being scrapped after an explosive meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, has now been signed.

Economics

3 w. ago US and Ukraine sign mineral deal after Donald Trump turns on Putin

The minerals deal, signed on Wednesday, will give the US privileged access to new investment projects to develop Ukraine's natural resources.

Politics

3 w. ago US and Ukraine finally sign minerals deal as Donald Trump makes key concession

The deal appears to contain some important concessions by Washington and comes days after Trump and Zelensky held talks at Pope Francis’s funeral

Politics

4 w. ago What are Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, where are they and what does this deal with Trump involve?

More than 50 per cent of Ukraine’s critical rare earth mineral resources are in regions illegally annexed by Vladimir Putin and partially occupied by his forces

Politics

4 w. ago Ukraine PM hails minerals deal with US as ‘good, equal and beneficial’ – Europe live

Denys Shmyhal says agreement leaves Kyiv in full control of its infrastructure and natural resourcesFull report: US and Ukraine sign minerals deal that solidifies investment in Kyiv’s defense against RussiaIn Spain, harrowing stories have continued to emerge after much of the Iberian Peninsula was plunged into an hours-long blackout earlier this week.Jonathan Bernal, a window washer in Madrid, has detailed how he and a co-worker were cleaning the outside windows of a skyscraper when the power went out. For four hours they ended up stranded on hanging scaffolding, some 240 metres above the city. Continue reading...

Economics

4 w. ago US and Ukraine sign minerals deal that solidifies investment in Kyiv’s defense against Russia

Move seals a deal to create a fund the Trump administration says will begin to repay roughly $175bn provided to UkraineThe US and Kyiv have signed an agreement to share profits and royalties from the future sale of Ukrainian minerals and rare earths, sealing a deal that Donald Trump has said will provide an economic incentive for the US to continue to invest in Ukraine’s defense and its reconstruction after he brokers a peace deal with Russia.The minerals deal, which has been the subject of tense negotiations for months and nearly fell through hours before it was signed, will establish a US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund that the Trump administration has said will begin to repay an estimated $175bn in aid provided to Ukraine since the beginning of the war. Continue reading...

Economics

4 w. ago US and Ukraine sign minerals deal after months of strained negotiations – Europe live

US treasury department announces agreement after reports of last-minute obstacles apparently overcomeFull report: US and Ukraine sign minerals deal that solidifies investment in Kyiv’s defense against RussiaIn Spain, harrowing stories have continued to emerge after much of the Iberian Peninsula was plunged into an hours-long blackout earlier this week.Jonathan Bernal, a window washer in Madrid, has detailed how he and a co-worker were cleaning the outside windows of a skyscraper when the power went out. For four hours they ended up stranded on hanging scaffolding, some 240 metres above the city. Continue reading...

Economics