Trump Official Declares Mineral Deal to Provide Kyiv with Post-War 'Security Shield'

On February 12, U.S. Secretary of Finance Scott Bessent announced that a deal being negotiated between Kyiv and Washington regarding mineral supplies will provide a guarantee for Ukraine's post-war security. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope that the agreement would be reached within a few days, according to NewsBox.

Bessent, who became the first Cabinet-level representative of Donald Trump's administration to visit Kyiv, made this statement after Zelensky expressed readiness to finalize a deal to open up Ukrainian mineral resources to American investments. This move is seen as an effort to secure support from the U.S. President against Russian aggression, reports Reuters.

Previously, Donald Trump, who has been advocating for a swift resolution to the conflict, had expressed interest in acquiring rare earth metals from Ukraine worth $500 billion and stressed the importance of ensuring Washington's support.

Zelensky informed journalists that the United States has presented an initial draft of the agreement, which is currently under review by the Ukrainian side. He expressed hope to conclude the deal during the Munich Security Conference scheduled for February 14-16.

“We had a productive and constructive conversation. For me, the issue of security guarantees for Ukraine is very important, and we talked about mineral resources in general," Zelensky emphasized, planning to meet with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance in Munich.

Bessent noted that the agreement on mineral resources is part of a broader peace plan devised by the Trump administration and highlighted that his visit to Ukraine signifies the importance his administration places on the Ukrainian issue.

“Enhancing our economic commitments through partnership with the Ukrainian government and people will ensure that once this conflict concludes, long-term protection will be guaranteed for all Ukrainians,” Bessent declared.

Despite the details of the agreement remaining undisclosed, Bessent’s statement was received with optimism in Ukrainian political circles, concerned about a potential softening of the U.S. stance towards Russia.