Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has finally reached an agreement with President Trump on a controversial minerals deal that previously led to a heated exchange at the White House.

According to The Hill, the landmark agreement is expected to be signed as early as Wednesday in Washington, marking a significant shift in Ukraine's stance after months of resistance to U.S. terms.

The breakthrough comes as Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko prepares to travel to Washington for the signing ceremony. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed the imminent deal, emphasizing that only minor details remain to be finalized within the next 24 hours.

Trump administration pushes for swift resolution

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed readiness to proceed with the signing immediately, maintaining that the agreement's terms remain unchanged from the weekend discussions. The deal represents a crucial step in the administration's broader strategy to end the three-year conflict in Eastern Europe.

The U.S. Treasury Department has emphasized the urgency of concluding the agreement. A spokesperson highlighted the administration's commitment to securing a lasting peace in Ukraine through this economic partnership.

President Trump has consistently warned that the United States might withdraw from its facilitator role if substantial progress is not achieved soon. This pressure has likely contributed to Ukraine's decision to accept the current terms.

Complex negotiations and security considerations

The path to agreement has been marked by significant challenges, particularly regarding security guarantees. Ukraine has long sought explicit U.S. protection as part of any peace settlement.

Treasury Secretary Bessent stated during Wednesday's cabinet meeting:

Nothing's been removed. It's the same agreement that we agreed to on the weekend. President Trump has said that the time to get this done is now, and we are moving with all deliberate speed towards this end.

Previous iterations of the agreement contained vague security provisions. Trump officials suggested that American investment in Ukrainian mining operations would inherently discourage Russian aggression.

Economic partnership framework

The foundation for the current agreement was established in an April 18 memorandum, outlining plans for economic cooperation and a reconstruction investment fund. This document set an ambitious timeline for finalizing discussions by April 26.

A source familiar with the negotiations revealed that Ukraine attempted to revisit several settled terms, including transparency mechanisms and fund governance. However, Prime Minister Shmyhal clarified that previous U.S. assistance would remain separate from the minerals agreement.

The deal's implementation hinges on Ukraine's acceptance of specific conditions regarding fund traceability and governance structures. Svyrydenko's travel authorization was contingent upon finalizing these agreements.

Pivotal moment in U.S.-Ukraine relations

The minerals agreement represents a significant pivot in U.S.-Ukraine relations, following a tense period marked by Zelensky's initial resistance to relinquishing control over future resource revenues. The February meeting between Trump and Zelensky had ended in a heated argument, leading to the cancellation of the planned signing ceremony. The current breakthrough suggests Ukraine's willingness to compromise on key issues, potentially influenced by mounting pressure from the Trump administration. The agreement's signing would mark a crucial step toward economic partnership between the two nations and could influence the trajectory of peace efforts in Eastern Europe.