Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy left the White House without settling a highly coveted agreement on Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, according to a White House spokesperson.
Zelenskyy’s trip had initially been envisioned to wrap up talks on the deal that will provide the US access to Ukraine’s strategic mineral supply. On Monday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt characterized the agreement as “very close to the finish line.
The rare-earth minerals agreement was to be a central component of US assistance to Ukraine, helping its economic recovery while ensuring access to resources vital to technology and defense sectors. No official reason was given, however, for why the deal was not signed.
Zelenskyy’s visit also involved talks about a possible peace agreement with Russia, as tensions over US engagement persist. The failure to agree on a finalized minerals pact leaves one wondering about the future of economic collaboration between the two countries.