The US president has for weeks demanded that Kiev grant access to its natural resources so Washington can recoup the aid provided to Ukraine

US President Donald Trump is receiving Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky at the White house, where the two are expected to sign an agreement granting Washington access to Ukraine's natural resources.

The idea of a deal involving Ukraine's rare-earths was first floated by Zelensky last autumn, and the US president took him up on the offer earlier this month. There was some back-and-forth over the past few weeks, with the Ukrainian leader apparently attempting to secure more favorable terms.

The minerals deal is expected to provide a general framework and confirm the two nations' intent to create a special joint fund to be followed up by a series of separate documents, stipulating the details.

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett told NewsNation on Thursday that the "ballpark estimate of what it's worth to the American people is around $20 billion."

The Ukrainian government reviewed and greenlighted the agreement on Wednesday, according to Prime Minister Denis Shmigal.

Local media outlets Strana.ua and Evropeiskaya Pravda published what they claimed to be the text of the future agreement. According to the publications, 50% of all revenues from the future development of Ukraine's natural resources will accrue to a joint fund, with the accumulated assets being invested in the country's economy "at least once a year."

Despite Kiev's demands, Washington will not offer any security guarantees to Ukraine under the agreement, only "supporting" efforts to secure an arrangement.

Commenting on the deal, Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier this month that it "doesn't concern" Moscow.

(RT.com)