The White House and Ukraine have made significant progress toward reaching an agreement that would provide the United States with access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals and strengthen the long-term relationship between Kyiv and Washington, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The progress in talks comes after President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy exchanged sharp rhetoric this week about their differences over the matter.

Zelenskyy expressed reluctance to sign off on a deal that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent proposed during a visit to Kyiv last week, and it was reiterated again during a meeting in Munich with Vice President JD Vance because the American proposal lacked security guarantees.

Trump had earlier renewed his criticism of Zelenskyy’s handling of the three-year war and accused the Ukrainians of wasting Bessent’s time.

However, progress was made during a three-day visit to Ukraine this week by retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, according to the source familiar with the ongoing negotiations who was not authorized to comment publicly.

Although the Ukrainians were initially disturbed by Trump, the still-incomplete agreement gained clarity over the three days of meetings in Ukraine between Kellogg and Zelenskyy along with other top-ranking Ukrainian officials.

In addition to Zelenskyy, the talks included Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Rada speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, and others, according to the source.

As Kellogg returned to Washington on Friday evening, Zelenskyy in his nightly address stated that both sides were still working on a draft agreement. This was a notably optimistic tone after Trump earlier in the day claimed in a Fox News Radio interview that Bessent’s visit to Kyiv had been a “wasted trip.”

“Today, Ukrainian and U.S. teams are working on a draft agreement between our governments,” Zelenskyy said in his address. “This agreement can add value to our relations — what matters most is getting the details right to ensure it truly works. I look forward to a just result.”

Trump had previously expressed his desire for such a deal earlier this month, and it was initially proposed last fall by Zelenskyy as part of his plan to strengthen Kyiv’s hand in future negotiations with Moscow.

Rare earth elements are a range of 17 elements that are vital to various kinds of consumer technology, including cellphones, hard drives, and electric and hybrid vehicles.

Trump’s national security adviser also expressed confidence Friday that Zelenskyy would eventually accept a deal allowing the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals.

Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Mike Waltz stated: “Here’s the bottom line. President Zelenskyy is going to sign that deal.”