Coerced Ukraine Set to Sign Mineral Deal with US

UKRAINE is ready to sign an agreement that would give the US access to its valuable rare minerals in the hopes of ensuring continued American support for Kyiv in its grinding war with Russia, senior Ukrainian officials said Wednesday.

- 

KYIV

Ukraine's economy minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, was headed to Washington on Wednesday to help finalize the deal, according to two senior Ukrainian officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

For Ukraine, the agreement is seen as key to ensuring its access to future US military aid. "Truly, this is a strategic deal for the creation of an investment partner fund," Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Ukrainian television. "This is truly an equal and good international deal on joint investment in the development and restoration of Ukraine between the governments of the United States and Ukraine."