American-Ukrainian meeting on mineral wealth investment amid negotiation tensions.

Officials from the United States and Ukraine met on Friday, April 11, to discuss an American proposal aimed at developing and investing in Ukrainian mineral resources, according to a knowledgeable source cited by Reuters.

The source indicated that progress in the talks is currently weak due to the "tense" atmosphere at the meeting, attributed to the latest draft presented by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, described as more comprehensive and expansive than the initial version of the agreement between the two countries. The source commented, "The negotiating atmosphere is extremely hostile."

The U.S. Treasury Department confirmed that the discussions took place, describing them as "technical in nature." The revised draft grants the United States broad rights to access mineral resources in Ukraine, with Ukraine being required to deposit the revenues from exploiting these resources _ whether from government or private companies _ into a joint investment fund.

However, the current proposal does not include any U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine, which is still engaged in a war against Russia for about three years.

Obtaining security support is a top priority for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, especially after Russian forces seized approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.

The source revealed a surprise in the draft, with the United States requesting that its International Development Finance Corporation take control of the natural gas pipeline owned by the Russian company Gazprom, which passes through Ukraine to Europe.

As part of the agreement preparations, the Ukrainian government appointed the international law firm "Hogan Lovells" as an external legal advisor.

President Zelensky stated last Wednesday that any agreement on mineral resources must be "beneficial for both parties" and contribute to the modernization of Ukraine.

Several Ukrainian officials, including Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko, are scheduled to visit Washington in the next two weeks to attend meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, which will include a ministerial meeting dedicated to Ukraine on April 25.

This agreement is part of the U.S. administration's efforts to access Ukraine's rare minerals as part of ending the war, and as a means to recover the billions of dollars provided by the Biden administration as military aid to Kyiv.