Ukrainian President's Office chief reports constructive talks with US on mineral resources agreement

The first part of this is a partnership between Ukraine and the U.S. that involves strategic minerals, energy and state-owned enterprises, where we set up a partnership, and we are only looking forward,

Bessent said during this week's "Sunday Morning Futures."

I call it an economic security guarantee. The more assets that U.S. companies have on the ground, the bigger interest that the U.S. has in the future of Ukrainian economy doing well, the more security it creates for the Ukrainian people and the higher the return for the U.S. taxpayer,

he said

We are making progress in our work. We are having a constructive discussion. The US is our partner, and we are grateful to the American people, grateful for bipartisan support – you have been with us for all three years of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine."

Quote from Yermak

The deal will be signed,

Bessent said in an interview on Fox News on Sunday

The war didn't need to happen. It was provoked. It doesn't necessarily mean it was provoked by the Russians. There were all kinds of conversations back then about Ukraine joining NATO. That didn't need to happen. It basically became a threat to the Russians,

Witkoff told CNN on Sunday

I know we had 100 [billion dollars from the US – ed.], and I’m not going to acknowledge US$500 [billion of debt], no matter what anyone says."

Quote from Zelenskyy

I'm not going to sign something that ten generations of Ukrainians will be paying for."

Quote from Zelenskyy

Let’s also be clear as to what this is not. The US would not be taking ownership of physical assets in Ukraine. Nor would it be saddling Ukraine with more debt,

Bessent added

Donald Trumppresident

I want them to give us something for all the money we put up,

Mr Trump told the CPAC conference

We're going to get our money back because it's just not fair. And we will see, but I think we're pretty close to a deal, and we better be close because that has been a horrible situation."

He added

The terms of our partnership propose that revenue received by the government of Ukraine from natural resources, infrastructure and other assets is allocated to a fund focused on the long-term reconstruction and development of Ukraine where the US will have economic and governance rights in those future investments,

Bessent wrote

This partnership will support the US’s continued commitment to the people of Ukraine as well as lay the foundation for a robust reconstruction of the Ukrainian economy,

he wrote

Ukraine is endowed with natural resources and other national assets that can drive its postwar economic growth, but only if its government and people are armed with sufficient capital, expertise and the right incentives,

Bessent added

We're asking for rare earths, oil and anything we can get,

the US president stressed

It would be cool to do a live video walk through of Fort Knox!"

He later said

I’m dealing with President Zelensky. I’m dealing with President Putin and I’m trying to get the money back or secured."

He said

The outcome of Trump's play for the rare earth minerals is uncertain now, as the situation on the battlefield is by all means favouring Russia and on the diplomatic front, there are too many moving parts. It is the battle of the wills between the master of manipulation Putin and the master of the Art of the Deal, President Trump. And Zelenskyy is caught in the middle, just trying to survive, figuratively and literally."

Rebekah Koffler, a former Defence Intelligence Agency officer, told Fox News

Well, I think the intent is there’ll be no next war."

Kellogg answered

In your opinion, can we trust Russia? That they will negotiate?"

A Ukrainian soldier named Denis, according to the Post, asked Kellogg

You almost have to look back in history, and you have to have an ability to negotiate. All wars end through negotiation, the ultimate victory on the battlefield ends with diplomacy, and today’s world is no different."

Kellogg responded