Ukraine agrees to send team to discuss the latest US proposal as Russia raises concerns about the ceasefire plan.
On Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko revealed that a team will be traveling to the US “to move forward with negotiations” concerning the disputed deal, which President Donald Trump has made a prerequisite for ongoing support for Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia’s invasion.
Trump contends that the deal, granting the US advantageous access to valuable natural resources, would bolster Ukraine’s post-war security and reconstruction. Nonetheless, Moscow remains hesitant about the White House’s initiative to arrange a ceasefire.
Ukraine’s negotiation team will comprise representatives from various ministries including economic, foreign, justice, and financial affairs, as per Svyrydenko.
“This dialogue underscores the strategic interests of both nations and our shared dedication to fostering a strong, transparent partnership,” she stated on X, emphasizing that negotiators aim “to align on project selection, legal frameworks, and long-term investment mechanisms”.
This week, Ukraine will send a delegation to Washington to advance negotiations on a strategic agreement regarding critical natural resources.
This dialogue highlights the strategic interests of both nations and our shared commitment to building a…
— Yulia Svyrydenko (@Svyrydenko_Y) [April 7, 2025]
The proposal is deemed critical for Kyiv’s efforts to sustain US support, with Trump apparently moving closer to Moscow’s position in ceasefire discussions that have marginatalized Ukraine and its European allies.
Trump maintains that Washington will not endorse the deployment of peacekeepers for ensuring Ukraine’s security post-ceasefire. He asserts instead that the involvement of US firms in mineral extraction within the country would serve as a deterrent against further Russian aggression.
An initial version of the deal faced setbacks after a tense meeting in the Oval Office in February between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In late March, Washington introduced a revised draft to Kyiv, broadening the scope considerably beyond its initial version. The leaked document, which includes access to not only rare earth minerals but also gas and oil, faced criticism as an attempted diplomatic exertion.
Trump views the deal as a means to recuperate billions in aid allocated for Ukraine’s confrontation with Russia. However, Zelenskyy insisted that Kyiv would not recognize past US assistance as loans requiring repayment nor accept a proposition that endangers future integration with the European Union.
Uncertainties Linger
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin endorses the notion of a ceasefire in Ukraine but noted that numerous ambiguities regarding its implementation persist.
Thus far, Putin has declined a joint US-Ukrainian proposal for an unconditional and comprehensive ceasefire. He linked a US-proposed partial ceasefire in the Black Sea to the West’s agreement to lift certain sanctions.
Ukraine’s European allies have cautioned the US against acquiescing to Moscow’s attempts to delay progress while it continues its bombardment of the country.
French President Emmanuel Macron was the latest to underline this concern.
“For nearly a month, Russia has not only declined to accept the ceasefire but has also intensified its bombardment of civilians,” he declared on Monday during a visit to Cairo, Egypt.
“[It] is imperative that Russia ceases its duplicity and foot-dragging and accepts the unconditional ceasefire proposed by President Trump,” Macron stated.
Signals from Washington have been ambiguous.
Trump expressed annoyance at the sluggish pace of discussions, divulging to NBC News in March that he was “p*****d off” with Putin, yet has since continued to indicate that his rapport with the Russian leader remains cordial.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Friday that Trump would not “fall into the trap of endless negotiations” with Russia regarding its three-year aggression.
“We will soon ascertain, within a matter of weeks, not months, whether Russia is genuinely committed to peace or not,” he remarked.
