On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that officials from Ukraine and the United States are currently drafting a bilateral agreement, which he hopes will bring a “fair outcome.”
In a video address on February 21, Zelensky mentioned that Ukrainian and U.S. officials are working on an agreement to strengthen bilateral relations. However, he emphasized that the agreement must include practical provisions and result in “a fair outcome.”
According to reports, on February 21 (local time), U.S. National Security Advisor Waltz stated at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) that in September 2024, Zelensky proposed that Ukraine has many untapped rare earth mineral resources in need of investment. If the U.S. is willing to invest in Ukraine, the country would establish a partnership with the U.S. In response, former U.S. President Donald Trump dispatched the Treasury Secretary to Ukraine to discuss a rare earth minerals agreement.
Waltz further noted that Zelensky is expected to sign this agreement. However, the Ukrainian side has not yet responded to these statements.
Recently, the U.S. proposed a so-called “rare earth for aid” mineral cooperation agreement with Ukraine. Previously, Zelensky had stated that the agreement lacked “security guarantees” for Ukraine, preventing it from being signed. According to foreign media reports on February 19, sources suggested that the Trump administration may seek to reach a simplified mineral agreement with Ukraine before negotiating further details.
Additionally, on February 12 (local time), U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent visited Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, where he met with Zelensky and urged Ukraine to open its mineral resources to American investors. After the meeting, Bessent told reporters that this mineral resource deal between the U.S. and Ukraine would provide Ukraine with “a long-term security shield” after the end of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Zelensky emphasized, “We are discussing the joint extraction of these minerals.” He described his discussion with Bessent as “productive and constructive” and expressed hope that the U.S. would provide security guarantees for Ukraine.
