Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Kyiv has formally received a proposal from Washington regarding a new minerals deal, which would grant the United States access to Ukrainian natural resources in exchange for increased military support. “I would like to note that officially, and this is important, the Ukrainian side—specifically, the cabinet of ministers of Ukraine and my office—has received US proposals today,” Mr. Zelensky stated during a press conference in Kyiv.
The arrangement aimed at extracting strategically significant minerals in Ukraine was initially set to be finalized in Washington the previous month. However, it was postponed following a dramatic televised exchange between Mr. Trump and Mr. Zelensky. In a recent address from the White House, Mr. Trump indicated that a pact with Ukraine is expected to be signed “very shortly.”
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko shared on Facebook that the nation is committed to ensuring the agreement aligns with its interests. Mr. Zelensky emphasized the importance of thoroughly reviewing the draft agreement with legal counsel before moving ahead.
Although Ukraine had previously hoped to secure security guarantees in return for access to its mineral resources, initial drafts of the proposal offered little in terms of protection. Notably, the U.S. has declined to deploy peacekeeping forces to Ukraine.
In a developing narrative, Russian President Vladimir Putin called for the establishment of a “transitional administration” in Ukraine, expressing his intention to “finish off” Ukrainian forces. Mr. Putin also urged Ukraine’s generals to remove Mr. Zelensky from power, echoing unfounded claims portraying him as a neo-Nazi and a drug user.
Responding to these remarks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov suggested that they stem from what Russia perceives as the Ukrainian leadership’s “total lack of control” over its military, accusing them of attempting daily assaults on Russian energy facilities.
On the front lines, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed new territorial accomplishments, reporting the seizure of a village in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region and the recovery of a border settlement in its Kursk region. “I was saying not so long ago: ‘We will get them.’ There are reasons to believe that we will finish them off, too,” Mr. Putin remarked, reinforcing the momentum of Russian military operations.
As the repercussions of war continue to escalate, Ukraine reported the receipt of 909 bodies of soldiers who lost their lives in battle—the highest number received to date.
In light of these developments, Mr. Zelensky stated that Ukraine will not consider previously approved U.S. military aid as loans requiring repayment as he confirmed the receipt of the new draft minerals deal. At the same time, he reiterated Ukraine’s readiness to engage in dialogue with any Russian representatives, excluding Mr. Putin, while emphasizing that any agreements must not jeopardize Ukraine’s integration with the European Union.
Meanwhile, the EU’s Agriculture Commissioner indicated that the bloc plans to decrease agricultural imports from Ukraine, reviewing emergency measures designed to support Kyiv in light of the war’s impact on its export routes. Commissioner Christophe Hansen mentioned the importance of “finding a new agreement” before the expiration of measures that currently favor Ukrainian products.
“Discussions will have to be swift. The European Union is ready to negotiate, and it should happen in the coming weeks,” he stated, adding that “import quotas won’t remain the same as in this temporary liberalization.” This dynamic follows the EU’s earlier elimination of tariffs on Ukrainian goods post-Russia’s invasion, which was subsequently met with protests from European farmers who felt underserved.
In a tragic escalation, a recent mass Russian drone assault claimed the lives of four individuals, injured fifteen, and caused extensive damage to a hotel, restaurant complex, and other structures in the southeastern city of Dnipro. Regional governor Serhiy Lysak indicated that the toll could rise further, as three of the injured were reported to be in critical condition. “It is also now known that the enemy directed more than 20 drones toward the city,” he reported via the Telegram messaging app, noting that most had been intercepted.
Images shared online captured the haunting scene of flames and thick smoke rising from the city, alongside the devastated interiors and wreckage of buildings.
In these turbulent times, “Let us be the change we wish to see,” as Mahatma Gandhi once said, reflecting on the resilience and hope that persists amid conflict.
