The progress in talks comes after President Trump and Ukraine President Zelensky traded barbs about their differences over the Russia-Ukraine war.

The U.S. and Ukraine are near a deal to hand valuable mineral rights to the U.S., an agreement the Trump administration has sought as compensation for military aid to fight off Russia’s invasion, people familiar with the matter said.

White House national security adviser Mike Waltz said on Friday he expects Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to sign a minerals agreement with the United States as part of efforts to end the Ukraine war,