Ukraine is prepared to sign a landmark mineral resources agreement with the United States in Washington on Wednesday, according to two senior Ukrainian officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha hailed a minerals deal signed with the United States as "an important milestone" in relations with Washington on Thursday and discussed the agreement with the European Union's top diplomat.

A draft of the deal said it would give Washington preferential access to new Ukrainian natural resources deals.