The United States continues to push Ukraine to pay tens of billions of dollars as part of a resource deal, aiming to recover costs from its military support during the ongoing conflict with Russia, according to recent reports.
Talks between US and Ukrainian officials have been underway for weeks over a so-called “resource deal” — an idea first introduced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last year. The plan would allow the US to gain access to Ukraine’s valuable rare earth deposits.
Following a round of discussions in Washington last week, President Donald Trump’s administration lowered its demand. The US originally valued its assistance at more than $300 billion but has now reduced the figure to around $100 billion, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed sources. On the other hand, Ukraine estimates total American aid during the conflict to be just over $90 billion.
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Despite this reduced figure, US officials still see the deal as a way to recover costs and secure future profits through a joint investment fund. The size of this fund has not yet been finalized, according to Bloomberg sources.
However, Ukraine strongly rejects the idea that American assistance is a debt to be repaid. Ukrainian officials argue the aid was given unconditionally and was never intended as a loan. Kyiv is also pushing for US investments into the joint fund, but Trump’s team has so far refused, insisting that previous military support should count as America’s stake.
The push for payment was further highlighted in a Daily Mail report, which revealed that Trump’s current demand stands at $100 billion, down from his earlier $300 billion figure. The proposed deal, first floated in February, was drafted by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who also led the negotiations. Under the terms, Washington would gain major access to Ukraine’s oil, gas, and mineral resources.
The plan quickly faced criticism from Ukraine and European allies, who argued the agreement was unfair. Critics also pointed out that out of the $175 billion in US aid announced so far, nearly $70 billion had been spent inside the US itself, mostly on weapons production, rather than direct help to Ukraine.
Zelensky firmly rejected the offer at the time, saying he would not “sell his country” and challenged the US figures, adding that the aid was not a loan.
Tensions between Washington and Kyiv escalated after this. A widely covered meeting in the Oval Office turned into a heated argument between Zelensky, Trump, and US Vice President JD Vance, highlighting growing mistrust and strain in the relationship.
Despite the disagreements, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said both sides are “very, very close” to finalizing an agreement, which could be signed soon.
