Ukraine to send delegation to US next week for critical minerals deal talks

Ukraine is set to dispatch a delegation next week to Washington to start talks on a new deal that could grant the United States access to its rich mineral reserves, Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Speaking during a visit to northern Ukraine on Saturday, Svyrydenko said ”The new draft agreement from the US shows that the intention to create a fund or jointly invest remains,”.

The team will include officials from the Ministries of Economy, Foreign Affairs, Justice and Finance. Negotiations over the mineral resource partnership have been ongoing for months and have tested the strength of U.-Ukraine relations.

A framework agreement had been scheduled for signing in February but the plan fell apart after a tense meeting in the Oval Office involving President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Ukraine possesses substantial reserves of more than 20 minerals considered critical to US strategic interests, such as titanium—used in aerospace manufacturing—lithium, essential for battery production, and uranium for nuclear energy.

Meanwhile, the US is reportedly seeking to improve relations with Russia. Russian media reported that Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev indicated that the next round of US-Russia talks could take place “as soon as next week.” Dmitriev, who traveled to Washington last week, is the most senior Russian figure to do so since the beginning of the war.

In a parallel diplomatic effort, Zelenskyy welcomed “tangible progress” following a meeting in Kyiv on Friday with top British and French military officials. Discussions centered on a proposal from London and Paris to deploy a multinational reassurance force to Ukraine once a peace deal is in place.

On social media, Zelenskyy shared that the talks with UK Defence Chief Tony Radakin and French counterpart Thierry Burkhard produced “initial agreements on the structure and deployment of a partner security contingent.”

The move reflects Europe’s push to regain diplomatic traction after being sidelined by Trump’s direct engagement with the Kremlin.

Russia rejects truce, US remains silent: Zelenskyy

President Zelensky said on Sunday that the United States had issued no response after Russia rejected its proposal for an unconditional truce, which Ukraine agreed to.

In his evening address, Zelenskyy said: “Ukraine has agreed to America’s proposal, to a full, unconditional ceasefire. Putin refuses. We are waiting for the United States to respond – so far there has been no response”.

Russia ramps up aerial assault

Zelensky warned Sunday that Moscow is increasing its aerial bombardment after Russia mounted a “massive” missile and drone attack on Ukraine overnight, killing two people and wounding at least seven.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that “the number of Russian air attacks is increasing”, which he said proved that “the pressure on Russia is still insufficient”.

Russia on Sunday claimed the capture of a village in Ukraine’s Sumy region in a rare cross-border advance.

Early Sunday Russia “launched a massive nationwide attack on Ukraine using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones,” said first deputy prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko.

Cross-border advance

Russia’s defence ministry said troops liberated the village of Basivka, close to the border with Russia’s Kursk region, only the second time it has claimed an advance into the region since 2022.

Moscow claimed the capture of another village in Sumy region in early March but Ukraine has not confirmed Russia has taken territory there, saying it is managing to destroy small Russian assault groups attempting to cross the border.

The latest attacks came two days after a missile attack on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rig killed 18 people including nine children on Friday evening.

With inputs from agencies