Zelensky 'not ready' to sign minerals deal with US: source

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is "not ready" to sign a deal granting the United States preferential access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, a Ukrainian source told AFP on Saturday.

The deal, pushed by US President Donald Trump, is intended as compensation for the billions of dollars in aid provided to Ukraine under Joe Biden's administration.

However, Kyiv is resisting, arguing that the draft lacks clear US commitments on investment or security guarantees.

"In the form in which the draft is now, the president is not ready to accept," a Ukrainian official close to the matter said. "We are still trying to make changes and add constructiveness."

The source criticized the agreement, claiming Ukraine would be forced to give up $500 billion worth of mineral resources without receiving any binding US commitments.

The official added, "The agreement does not include American obligations regarding guarantees or investments; everything about them is very vague. "

Ukraine has proposed amendments to the deal, but Washington has yet to respond.

The disagreement comes amid rising tensions between Trump and Zelensky. Earlier this week, Trump called Zelensky a "dictator" in a social media post, further straining relations between the two leaders.

Ukraine, a major source of rare earth minerals crucial for technology and defense industries, is seeking security guarantees in exchange for any resource deal. However, negotiations remain at an impasse as Trump’s team pushes for a quick agreement.

Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, predicted on Friday that Zelensky would eventually sign the deal, though the full terms remain undisclosed.