Zelensky to sign Trump’s rare earth deal with ‘no more negotiation’ – US Treasury secretary

The US and Ukraine have finalized their agreement on rare earths and other natural resources, and Vladimir Zelensky is expected to sign the document without further negotiations during his meeting with President Donald Trump on Friday, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Trump has repeatedly stated in recent weeks that the US wants to “get back” the money it has spent on military and financial aid to Kiev through a minerals deal with Ukraine. However, Zelensky had previously refused to sign an agreement without concrete US security guarantees for Kiev.

“The deal is done. President Zelensky is coming here to sign the deal tomorrow, so there is no more negotiation, there is nothing else,” Bessent told Fox Business on Thursday.

Bessent traveled to Kiev earlier this month but returned empty-handed after Zelensky allegedly lashed out at him over a US demand that Ukraine hand over 50% of its critical minerals as compensation for past aid. According to Financial Times sources, Zelensky’s frustration boiled over during their closed-door meeting as Bessent pushed for an immediate signature on the deal…