US, Ukraine hold tense talks as mineral deal remains elusive

12/4/2025 7:14

U.S. and Ukrainian officials met on Friday on a U.S. proposal to gain access to Ukraine's mineral wealth, a source with knowledge of the matter said, adding that prospects for a breakthrough were scant given the meeting's "antagonistic" atmosphere.



The strains in the Washington talks stemmed from the Trump administration's latest draft proposal, which is more expansive than the original version, the source said.



"The negotiating environment is very antagonistic," the source said, pointing to the "maximalist" draft submitted by the Trump administration last month.



A Treasury Department spokesperson confirmed the discussions, calling them "technical in nature."



The latest draft would give the U.S. privileged access to Ukraine's mineral deposits and require Kyiv to place in a joint investment fund all income from the exploitation of natural resources by Ukrainian state and private firms.