President Volodymyr Zelensky has outlined a natural resources deal between Ukraine and the United States, but stressed that the deal is a “framework” for future agreements and that a lot rests on talks with US President Donald Trump expected later this week.

President Trump, who had insisted he wanted “payback” for past military aid to Kyiv, suggested President Volodymyr Zelensky would visit Washington this week to sign an agreement, which he called a “very big deal.

Trump has framed the emerging deal that would give the US access to Ukraine’s deposits of rare earth minerals as a chance for Kyiv to pay back the US for aid already sent.