Try GOLD - Free
Ukraine reaches agreement with US on minerals deal
The Independent
|February 26, 2025
Kyiv’s U-turn comes after Trump dropped $500bn demand
The US and Ukraine have agreed to the terms of a rare earth minerals deal after days of tension between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky.
Kyiv is ready to sign the agreement on jointly developing Ukraine’s mineral deposits, including oil and gas, after the US dropped demands to the rights of up to $500bn (£395bn) in revenue from the resources, according to sources close to negotiations.
Mr Trump last week demanded preferential access to the $500bn figure as repayment for Washington’s military support for Ukraine under his predecessor Joe Biden.
Mr Zelensky rejected the proposal as “not serious”, saying there was no factual basis for claiming the US was owed that money, as well as the deal providing Ukraine with no security guarantees.
He also claimed Mr Trump was living in a “Russian disinformation bubble”, which was met with fury from the US president and senior White House officials.
This story is from the February 26, 2025 edition of The Independent.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Independent
The Independent
Trump deserves praise for Gaza - if he sees it through
Go to Kosovo today, and among men in their mid-twenties you will find a disproportionate number of them named Tonibler.
4 mins
October 12, 2025
The Independent
Where should I go during Cambodia backpacker trip?
Q Friends have come back from Cambodia raving about the place as a backpacker destination. In your opinion, what highlights should I absolutely not miss?
1 mins
October 12, 2025
The Independent
A decade of pain before endometriosis is diagnosed
At just 12 years old, a terrified Zaynah Ahmed lost so much blood during her period that she was left in a life-threatening condition and needed an urgent blood transfusion.
3 mins
October 12, 2025
The Independent
BREAK THE SILENCE
Olivia Petter was made to feel she should ignore an incident with a stranger in a dressing room, but after bureaucratic hurdles and a police investigation, she finally felt vindicated
7 mins
October 12, 2025
The Independent
Hull KR thrash champions Wigan for Grand Final win
Hull KR completed an historic treble after battering defending champions Wigan 24-6 in a pulsating Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford.
2 mins
October 12, 2025
The Independent
Blair met Epstein while he was PM, documents reveal
Sir Tony Blair met with Jeffrey Epstein in Downing Street while he was prime minister, after lobbying from Peter Mandelson, documents have revealed.
2 mins
October 12, 2025
The Independent
Nobel Peace Prize winner dedicates award to Trump
Venezuelan opposition leader and the newly awarded Nobel Peace Prize winner has dedicated her win to Donald Trump for his “decisive support” in her country’s fight for democracy.
2 mins
October 12, 2025
The Independent
Fury as Taliban bars women from press event in India
The Taliban reportedly barred women journalists from attending a press event of visiting Afghan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in India, drawing anger from a wide section of Indian reporters, activists, and politicians.
4 mins
October 12, 2025
The Independent
'Here is ur diagnosis': Is this Labour's vision for the NHS?
Sitting in the middle of an office was not how I had ever envisaged being told that I have a long-term health condition, but that’s where I was when I received the following message - original typos included:
3 mins
October 12, 2025
The Independent
Starmer 'planning to blame Farage' for Budget tax hikes
Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly gearing up to blame Nigel Farage and Brexit for Britain’s expected downturn in productivity at the Budget, as part of a new attack on the Reform UK leader.
2 mins
October 12, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size