Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Tuesday that Ukraine will work with the United States towards a mutually acceptable text of a minerals deal that the two countries can sign.

Speaking at a press conference, Sybiha said one round of consultations had already taken place on a new draft of the minerals deal and that an agreement providing for a strong American business presence in Ukraine would contribute to his country’s security infrastructure.

“This process will continue and we will work with our American colleagues to reach a mutually acceptable text for signing,” Sybiha said.

The statement came after U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to back out of the deal, warning that the Ukrainian leader would face big problems if he did.

Washington proposed an expanded minerals deal to Kyiv after the two sides failed to sign the framework deal during Zelenskyy’s visit to the US in late February which ended with Trump berating him in the Oval Office.

It was gathered that the revised proposal would require Kyiv to send Washington all profit from a fund controlling Ukrainian resources until Ukraine had repaid all American wartime aid, plus interest,

Recall that Zelenskyy said on Friday that Ukraine would not accept any mineral rights deal that threatened its integration with the EU, but that it was too early to pass judgment on the revised deal.

We’ll work with US towards mutually acceptable minerals deal – Ukraine