US, Ukraine agree to terms of critical minerals deal

LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. and Ukraine have agreed on the terms of a draft minerals deal central to Kyiv's push to win Washington's support as President Donald Trump seeks to rapidly end the war with Russia, two sources with knowledge of the matter said on Tuesday.

Trump told reporters that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wants to come to Washington later this week to sign the deal, after the two leaders exchanged hostile words last week.

The sources said the visit is scheduled for Friday.

Trump also said there needs be some form of peacekeeping troops in Ukraine if an agreement to end the conflict is struck. Moscow has refused to accept any deployment of NATO troops.

Trump's rush to impose an end to Russia's war in Ukraine has stoked fears of far-reaching U.S. concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin that could undermine security in Ukraine and Europe and alter the geopolitical landscape.

It was not immediately clear whether the agreement carries any specific U.S. security guarantees that Ukraine had sought or if Washington has committed to sending additional military aid.

One of the sources familiar with the deal said future weapons shipments are still being discussed between Washington and Kyiv.

Trump last week called Zelenskiy an unpopular "dictator" who needed to cut a quick peace deal or lose his country, while the Ukrainian leader said the U.S. president was living in a "disinformation bubble".

One of the sources, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, told Reuters the White House had proposed the visit.

Officials on both sides have agreed to the draft and advised it should be signed, the source said.

The deal could open up Ukraine's vast mineral wealth to the U.S., with Trump seeking hundreds of billions of dollars to repay Washington for its support.

Another source familiar with the matter said Zelenskiy may meet lawmakers on Capitol Hill, but that the schedule of the visit was in flux.

(Reporting by Tom Balmforth and Erin Banco; writing by Matt Spetalnick; editing by David Gregorio)