It provides both good news and optics, but is ultimately a forced deal with a complex future. Ukraine’s minerals agreement with the United States stems from months of fraught haggling, and originates in a Ukrainian idea first offered during the amicable climes of the Biden administration.

The US and Ukraine have agreed a crucial minerals deal after months of negotiations in a major breakthrough for peace. The deal is set to grant the US special access to new investment projects to develop Ukraine's natural resources - including aluminum,