4 h. ago Volodymyr Zelensky says progress has been made on Donald Trump's rare minerals deal

The initial US draft agreement aimed to grant American interests substantial access to Ukraine's valuable minerals, including lithium, essential for aerospace and defense industries.

Politics

5 h. ago Trump administration briefing: Zelenskyy rejects US minerals demand; bomb threat sent to anti

From a fight over a $500bn minerals deal to Trump ‘surrendering to the Russians’ – here are the key US politics stories from Sunday at a glanceAs Ukraine prepared to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of the country, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he would be willing to step down if it meant peace or membership of Nato, something the US and some other Nato member states oppose. Zelenskyy insisted he wanted good, “friendly” relations with America – a “strategic partner” – and shrugged off Trump’s bruising description of him as a “dictator” for not holding elections during wartime.But he also said that he would not sign a $500bn minerals deal proposed by the US. He said the figure was far higher than the US’s actual military contribution of $100bn. Continue reading...

Events

7 h. ago Zelensky's shock reaction to Trump team saying he's hours away from signing huge mineral deal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has balked at the suggestion any minerals deal with the United States would be backpay for foreign aid his nation has received during the war.

Politics

11 h. ago Zelenskyy says he would ‘quit for peace’ as he refuses US demand for Ukraine minerals

Ukrainian president says US military aid was a ‘grant’ rather than a debt but adds that he wants Trump to be ‘on our side’Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is not willing to cave in to intense US pressure to sign a $500bn minerals deal and that he wants Donald Trump to be “on our side” in negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv ahead of the third anniversary on Monday of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Zelenskyy said he did not recognise the sum demanded by the White House as apparent “payback” for previous US military assistance. Continue reading...

Politics

35 h. ago Donald Trump vows to 'get our money back' from Ukraine in deal with war criminal Putin

While speaking at the Republican CPAC conference, Donald Trump said he wants the US to get 'rare Earth and oil' from Ukraine after Joe Biden gave the country $350billion

Politics

37 h. ago US says revenue from minerals deal will fuel Ukraine’s postwar growth

Kyiv remains sceptical of plan as Treasury secretary Scott Bessent denies it is ‘coercive’ in FT opinion article

Economics

39 h. ago Zelensky not ready to sign 'problematic' US minerals deal, sources say

The US and Ukraine have made significant progress towards a mineral deal, a source told the Associated Press

Economics

41 h. ago Zelensky 'refuses to sign' Donald Trump's 'problematic' minerals deal amid tensions between world leaders

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is reportedly not ready to sign a controversial minerals deal with Donald Trump that may see him give away billions in critical elements and revenues.

Politics

53 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Trump turnaround as he acknowledges Russia invaded Ukraine

US president earlier drew criticism after saying Kyiv ‘should have never started’ war; Trump predicts Ukraine will soon sign minerals deal with US. What we know on day 1,095See all our Ukraine war coverage Continue reading...

Events

56 h. ago Zelensky surrenders to Trump and 'will sign mineral deal within hours'

Donald Trump appears to have won his trade standoff with Volodymyr Zelensky , as the Ukrainian president is set to give in and sign a deal giving the U.S. access to deposits of minerals.

Politics

62 h. ago Mike Waltz insists Ukraine will sign mineral deal — and Trump will get a Nobel Peace Prize when war’s over

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously rejected an agreement for American control of much of his country’s rare earth minerals

Politics

63 h. ago Trump official says Zelenskyy will sign US minerals deal ‘in the very short term’

National security adviser Mike Waltz tells CPAC agreement is expected imminently as part of ceasefire negotiationsThe White House national security adviser, Mike Waltz, said on Friday that the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was expected to sign a minerals agreement with the United States imminently, as part of broader negotiations to end the war with Russia.“Here’s the bottom line: President Zelenskyy is going to sign that deal, and you will see that in the very short term,” Waltz said during remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Continue reading...

Politics

63 h. ago Ukraine to sign critical minerals deal ‘in the very short term’, US claims

National security adviser Mike Waltz tells conference that ‘economic partnership’ will be ‘good’ for Kyiv

Economics

3 d. ago Stop criticising Trump and sign $500bn mineral deal, US official advises Kyiv

National security adviser says Ukraine is wrong to push back against Trump’s approach to peace talks with RussiaWhite House officials have told Ukraine to stop badmouthing Donald Trump and to sign a deal handing over half of the country’s mineral wealth to the US, saying a failure to do so would be unacceptable.The US national security adviser, Mike Waltz, told Fox News that Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, should “tone down” his criticism of the US and take a “hard look” at the deal. It proposes giving Washington $500bn worth of natural resources, including oil and gas. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Trump aide tells Zelenskyy to ‘tone it down’ as US envoy cancels Kyiv press conference – Europe live

Keith Kellog cancels joint appearance with Zelenskyy, while Trump aide said Ukraine should ‘tone it down and sign that deal’ on minerals with USFormer US state secretary John Kerry said “the basic playing field for making peace in Ukraine is there,” as he rejected Donald Trump’s suggestions that Ukraine was responsible for starting the war with Russia and dismissed Russian president Vladimir Putin’s logic for invasion as “lies.”Speaking at a London conference organised by the consultancy Brand Finance, Kerry, who served as the US state secretary in Barack Obama’s Democratic administration, said this:Putin individually decided, contrary to what Donald Trump said yesterday or day before, to invade Ukraine. He wants it back. He said different motives expressed at different times, that it was Nazis taking over the country, and he had to go in to root out the Nazis. Well, come on, folks. I mean, that lie has been proved. There’s so many lies.And why do I say that? Because I think all of ...

Politics

3 d. ago Trump aide tells Zelenskyy to ‘tone it down’ ahead of press conference with US envoy – Europe live

White House national security adviser Mike Waltz said Ukraine should ‘tone it down, take a hard look and sign that deal’ on minerals with the USFormer US state secretary John Kerry said “the basic playing field for making peace in Ukraine is there,” as he rejected Donald Trump’s suggestions that Ukraine was responsible for starting the war with Russia and dismissed Russian president Vladimir Putin’s logic for invasion as “lies.”Speaking at a London conference organised by the consultancy Brand Finance, Kerry, who served as the US state secretary in Barack Obama’s Democratic administration, said this:Putin individually decided, contrary to what Donald Trump said yesterday or day before, to invade Ukraine. He wants it back. He said different motives expressed at different times, that it was Nazis taking over the country, and he had to go in to root out the Nazis. Well, come on, folks. I mean, that lie has been proved. There’s so many lies.And why do I say that? Because I think all of ...

Politics

4 d. ago Putin lavishes praise on Trump and agrees to meeting after furious Zelensky accused the US President of making him 'sell his country' for $500bn mineral deal

Putin said he rated US-Russia talks held in Saudi Arabia 'highly', describing them as a 'first step' to restore relations with Washington.

Politics

4 d. ago Putin says 'I'll meet Trump' and praises him for 'receiving objective information' after Zelensky furiously accused US leader of falling for fake news and shooting down his $500 billion minerals deal

The Russian dictator said he rated the talks held in Saudi Arabia 'highly', describing them as a 'first step' to restore relations with Washington.

Politics

5 d. ago Voices: Ukraine cannot afford to let Donald Trump near its precious natural resources

Donald Trump’s demand for $500 billion in Ukrainian rare earth minerals as payback for military support during the war with Russia is unprecedented, says historian James Holland – more egregious even than the deal brokered 80 years ago to punish a defeated Germany

Politics