The United States is urging Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire with Russia as a condition for finalising a minerals deal, according to a report by Bloomberg on 6 March. The proposed agreement, which has faced delays since a recent dispute between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, could progress if Kyiv commits to a clear roadmap towards negotiations.
Sources familiar with the matter stated that the conditions linked to the economic accord have slowed its approval, despite both Trump and Zelenskyy previously expressing interest in cooperation. While some officials expect movement on the deal soon, others caution that Trump’s stance remains unpredictable. The White House has not responded to requests for comment.
US officials consider the minerals deal an important aspect of the administration’s Ukraine policy. However, there is no indication that Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to end the full scale invasion, nor has the US applied similar pressure on Moscow. Any ceasefire agreement would require both sides to engage in negotiations.
Washington has intensified pressure on Kyiv by suspending military aid and intelligence sharing, a move that European officials interpret as a strategy to push Ukraine towards Trump’s objectives. The sudden halt in intelligence access is considered unprecedented and could strain relations between the US and its European allies.
Some reports suggest that American officials have also held discussions with Russian representatives, though it is unclear whether Washington is pushing Moscow towards peace talks. The Trump administration has indicated that any ceasefire arrangement may require Ukraine to make territorial concessions and abandon its NATO aspirations. It remains uncertain whether additional security guarantees will be included beyond those linked to the minerals deal.
European leaders, led by the United Kingdom and France, are formulating a security plan for Ukraine that would need US backing. However, Trump has not committed to supporting these guarantees, leaving the future of Ukraine’s security arrangements uncertain.
| Key Developments | Details |
|---|---|
| US Position | Pressuring Ukraine to accept a ceasefire in exchange for minerals deal |
| Russian Position | No sign that Putin is ready to negotiate an end to the war |
| US Actions | Suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing to Ukraine |
| Ceasefire Conditions | Possible territorial concessions and exclusion from NATO membership |
| European Response | UK and France working on alternative security guarantees |
