Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently expressed optimism regarding the negotiations with the United States, stating that negotiators are making “good progress” on a vital minerals deal aimed at securing much-needed US support. In his daily address, he noted, “The basic legal stuff is almost finalised, and then, if everything moves as quickly and constructively, the agreement will bring economic results to both our countries.”
This potential agreement revolves around the extraction of Ukraine’s strategic minerals, a deal that encountered some turbulence following a February dispute between US President Donald Trump and Mr. Zelensky. The planned accord is designed to provide the US with royalty payments on profits generated from Ukrainian mining activities.
Mr. Trump has expressed a strong desire for this deal, viewing it as a means of compensating the US for aid extended to Ukraine by his predecessor, Joe Biden. Echoing this sentiment, Ukraine’s economy minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, highlighted “significant progress” in the negotiations, stating that Ukrainian officials had “adjusted several items within the draft agreement” and that both parties are expected to sign a “memorandum of intent” soon.
Moreover, the Ukrainian parliament will ultimately vote on any final agreement. A senior official close to the discussions indicated that the talks are advancing “quite fast.” Sources informed AFP that the latest drafts of the agreement no longer frame US aid as a debt owed by Ukraine, a view supported by a recent Bloomberg News report that suggested the US had softened its stance on repayment of aid given after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Notably, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mentioned that a deal could be signed as early as “this week.”
Recent Developments from Odesa
In a troubling development, a Russian drone attack targeted the Black Sea port city of Odesa overnight, resulting in injuries to three individuals and significant damage to homes and civilian infrastructure. “The enemy has again attacked Odesa with a massive drone assault,” stated Oleh Kiper, the regional governor, via the messaging app Telegram, although the full extent of the damage remains unclear.
According to Ukraine’s emergency service, several fires broke out in Odesa as a result of the attack. Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov shared photographs showcasing the destruction of a residential building and other structures, where emergency workers were seen sifting through rubble, with even a dog peeking from behind debris.
In response, Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have destroyed 26 Ukrainian drones during the same timeframe, asserting that nine drones were downed above the southern Voronezh region and eight over the border in Belgorod. They also reported interceptions over the Kursk, Lipetsk, and Moscow regions, as well as the Crimean Peninsula. However, Reuters has yet to independently verify these claims.
It is noteworthy that both Ukraine and Russia firmly deny targeting civilians amid the ongoing conflict, which has escalated significantly since Russia initiated its full-scale invasion more than three years ago. In March, the United States announced it had brokered separate agreements with both nations to pause attacks over the Black Sea and against each other’s energy infrastructure, although both parties have since accused one another of violating the ceasefire.
For further updates, stay tuned for the latest developments.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
