US, Ukraine sound optimistic notes on mineral deal

The U.S. and Ukraine signaled Tuesday the minerals deal between the two countries is very much alive, despite continued fallout from the contentious White House meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky last week.

Speaking to reporters at the Capitol Tuesday morning, Vice President Vance said that he was certain that a deal could be reached.

"The mineral deal is an important part of the president’s policy. Number one, the American people have got to get some payback for the incredible financial investment we’ve made in this country," he said.

"The president is just trying to insure that the American people get a fair deal while simultaneously making sure we have access to minerals and resources that are important to the economy of the future."

An olive branch was also extended by Ukraine's Zelensky in a post on X. He called the Oval Office exchange last week "regrettable" and added Ukraine is ready to sign the deal at "any time and in any convenient format."

"We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively."

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who has championed the mineral deal, commented on Zelensky's message with a thumbs-up emoji, writing "Better days are ahead."

Vance also said in an interview with Fox News's Sean Hannity Monday that the pact offered an implicit security gaurantee that was stronger than a European peacekeeping force, which has also been discussed as part of a peace plan.

The vice president said U.S. access to Ukraine’s critical minerals “is a way better security guarantee than 20,000 troops from some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years.” He later clarified that he was not referring to the U.K. and France, who have been key allies in U.S. wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

Trump said Monday that the proposed economic deal between the U.S. and Ukraine was still on the table, but he argued Zelensky needed to be more “appreciative” of U.S. support.

Trump when asked if the deal was dead, said, "No, I don't think so."

Fox News reported Monday night that Trump wanted a public apology from Zelensky before resuming talks on the natural resources deal. But Vance said Tuesday that wasn't important, and Zelensky stopped short of apologizing in his message later in the morning.

"My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts," Zelensky wrote.

"We are ready to work fast to end the war, he added, "and the first stages could be the release of prisoners and truce in the sky — ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on energy and other civilian infrastructure — and truce in the sea immediately, if Russia will do the same."

Trump has pitched the rare earths deal as a way for the U.S. to recoup some of the aid it had provided to Ukraine in its war against Russia, while boosting Ukraine’s economy in the long term. It could take decades for mines to become profitable, even if peace holds in Ukraine.

Proponents of the minerals deal have suggested the economic partnership would give the U.S. a vested interest in protecting Ukraine against future threats from Russia. Critics have argued it amounts to the U.S. extorting Ukraine while also shutting Zelensky out of talks between Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Zelensky's latest statement also comes hours after the U.S. ordered a pause on its aid going to Ukraine in its war against Russia, a consequential move that applies to all military aid not already on the ground in Ukraine, including key aerial defense and anti-tank munitions.

Vance told reporters that once Ukraine shows a commitment to peace negotiations, everything is on the table, including resuming U.S. military aid.

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