KYIV, Ukraine: Talks between Ukraine and the United States over a critical minerals agreement are set to continue this week, as officials from Kyiv travel to Washington to negotiate the terms of a broader draft proposal.

Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed the upcoming visit in a post on X, stating: "We aim to align on project selection, legal frameworks, and long-term investment mechanisms."

The U.S. administration is pressing for a significant share in Ukraine's future mineral revenues, with President Donald Trump framing the deal as a way to recover some of the billions in aid the U.S. has provided to support Ukraine's defense against Russia. While Kyiv is eager to preserve strong ties with Washington, it remains wary of any agreement that could compromise future economic sovereignty.

In late March, a new draft was presented to Ukrainian officials, expanding significantly on the earlier version that had already been under discussion. Kyiv has not publicly disclosed full details of the proposal but has expressed concern over how far-reaching the terms may be.

Svyrydenko described the upcoming discussions as an extension of shared goals. "The dialogue with the U.S. reflects the countries' strategic interests and our shared commitment to building a strong, transparent partnership," she said.

The delegation heading to the U.S. capital will include officials from Ukraine's economy, foreign affairs, justice, and finance ministries.

Although Ukrainian authorities have remained measured in their public responses, reports suggest the revised draft outlines a sweeping U.S. claim to mineral-derived income.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addressed these concerns by making clear that Kyiv would not agree to any arrangement that frames past U.S. aid as loans or undermines the country's aspirations for European Union membership.

Zelenskiy said Kyiv would not recognise past U.S. aid as loans that must be repaid, or agree to a deal that threatened its future integration with the EU.