More deaths were reported in Ukraine on land occupied by Russia where seven people were killed in a drone attack, hours after Kyiv signed the minerals deal with the US
Seven people were killed in a drone attack by Ukraine, hours after Kyiv and the US signed an agreement giving Washington DC access to the nation’s precious minerals.
Missiles hit the partially occupied region of Kherson which also wounded more than 20 people, according to local reports. The deaths came as the ink had yet to dry on the minerals agreement finally signed which will give the US access to new investment projects to develop Ukraine’s natural resources – including aluminium, graphite, oil and natural gas. The deal is considered a crucial step in gaining Trump’s backing in ceasefire talks with Russia, and potentially end the brutal war.
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Moscow-appointed Governer Vladimir Saldo said: “At the time of the attack, there were many people in the market.” The governor claimed after the first wave of strikes, Ukraine sent further drones to “finish off” any survivors.
Meanwhile, a Russian drone strike on the Black Sea port city of Odesa early Thursday killed two people and injured 15. Following the attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia had ignored US proposals for a full and unconditional ceasefire for more than 50 days.
He said: “There were also our proposals, at the very least, to refrain from striking civilian infrastructure and to establish lasting silence in the sky, at sea, and on land. Russia has responded to all this with new shelling and new assaults.”
The US Treasury announced the deal with Ukraine on Wednesday evening, agreeing to establish an America-Ukraine reconstruction investment fund. For Ukraine, the deal is seen as a key move to gain access to future US military aid in its war against Russia.
The US Treasury said “in recognition of the significant financial and material support” the US has provided to the “defence of Ukraine […] this economic partnership positions our two countries to work collaboratively and invest together to […] accelerate Ukraine’s economic recovery”.
US treasury secretary Scott Bessent added: “This agreement signals clearly to Russia that the Trump administration is committed to a peace process centred on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine over the long term.”
Despite that, Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed any peace deal is still “far apart”. He added on Fox News Channel’s “Hannity: “They’re still far apart. They’re closer, but they’re still far apart,
“It’s going to take a real breakthrough here very soon to make this possible, or I think the president is going to have to make a decision about how much more time we’re going to dedicate to this.”