Zelensky Calls US-Ukraine Minerals Deal A ‘Framework’ As It emerges Agreement Has No Security Guarantees

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky says a proposed deal with the United States on natural resources is a “framework” and he will want to discuss the countries’ relationship further in person with President Donald Trump, as a draft of the text obtained by CNN shows it does not provide Kyiv explicit security guarantees.

With Trump bent on bringing Russia’s war to a swift end and recouping some of Washington’s financial aid to Kyiv, Zelensky is hoping that the natural resources deal can secure the US president’s future support, as well as security guarantees for Ukraine.

But the final version of the text seen by CNN said only that the United States “supports Ukraine’s efforts to obtain security guarantees needed to establish lasting peace”, without making explicit commitments.

At a press conference in Kyiv, Zelensky conceded that the deal does not have “concrete steps on security guarantees” because these need to be decided jointly with the US and Europe.

The Ukrainian President said that the deal could be a “big success”, but emphasized that it only provides a “framework” that can be “part of future security guarantees” which he hopes to discuss during his anticipated meeting with Trump.

CNN reported Tuesday that the US and Ukraine agreed terms on the deal and Zelensky is expected to travel to Washington, DC, in the coming days, according to a Ukrainian official.

The full text of the deal, obtained by CNN, outlined the two countries’ plan to establish a joint-owned “Reconstruction Investment Fund”.

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Source: CNN