WASHINGTON, United States
Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived at the White House for crucial talks with President Donald Trump over ending the war and to sign a landmark minerals deal.
Mr Zelensky shook hands with the US president who last week caused outrage when he branded the Ukrainian president a “dictator”.
During his trip to Washington, President Zelensky's delegation is expected to sign the economic agreement with the US aimed at financing the reconstruction of war-damaged Ukraine, a deal that would closely tie the two countries together for years to come.
Although the deal, which is seen as a step toward ending the three-year war, references the importance of Ukraine's security, it leaves that to a separate agreement to be discussed between the two leaders - talks that are likely to start on Friday.
Speaking to reporters as he sat down with Mr Zelensky in the Oval Office, Trump confirmed the minerals deal with Ukraine will be signed today, and says "we have something that is a very fair deal". "It is a big commitment from the US," he added.
Mr Zelensky said he hopes "this document will be a step forward for Ukraine" and he wanted to discuss what the US is "ready to do".
As Ukrainian forces hold out against slow but steady advances by Russia's larger and better-equipped army, leaders in Kyiv have pushed to ensure a potential US-brokered peace plan would include guarantees for the country's future security.
The meeting comes after tensions between Trump and Ukraine after the US president appeared to side with Russia over its invasion and branded Zelensky a “dictator without elections ” - an allegation he has since reined back on.
Many Ukrainians fear that a hastily negotiated peace - especially one that makes too many concessions to Russian demands - would allow Moscow to rearm and consolidate its forces for a future invasion after current hostilities cease.
According to the preliminary economic agreement, seen by The Associated Press, the US and Ukraine will establish a co-owned, jointly managed investment fund to which Ukraine will contribute 50% of future revenues from natural resources, including minerals, hydrocarbons and other extractable materials.
A more detailed agreement on establishing the fund will be drawn up once the preliminary one is signed.
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