Ukraine will dispatch a delegation to Washington this week for crucial negotiations on an expanded minerals deal with the United States, Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced Monday [1][2].

The talks come as both nations seek to advance discussions on a broader agreement that would give the US access to Ukraine's strategic mineral resources, including titanium, lithium, and uranium [2][8].

The Ukrainian delegation will include representatives from the economy, foreign affairs, justice, and finance ministries [1]. 'We aim to align on project selection, legal frameworks, and long-term investment mechanisms,' Svyrydenko stated [3].

The negotiations follow a failed attempt to sign a framework agreement in February, which collapsed after a contentious White House meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy [4][8].

The new US draft proposal, presented in late March, is more comprehensive than the original framework and may require ratification by Ukraine's parliament [8]. According to leaked documents, the expanded draft now includes access rights to Ukrainian gas and oil resources, beyond the initially discussed mineral rights [2].

Svyrydenko emphasized that the current draft reflects only the US position: 'What we have now is a document that reflects the position of the US Treasury legal team. This is not a final version, it's not a joint position' [8].

The previous framework agreement proposed a jointly owned investment fund, with Ukraine allocating 50% of future revenues from key national assets to support reconstruction efforts [8]. However, President Zelenskyy has firmly stated that Ukraine will not recognize past US military aid as loans to be repaid, nor accept agreements that could compromise future European Union integration [3].

Meanwhile, President Trump has urged Russia to stop bombing Ukraine, expressing concern over ongoing civilian casualties [5]. The negotiations occur against the backdrop of continued Russian attacks, including a recent missile strike in Kryvyi Rih that killed 20 people, including nine children [5].