After months of tense negotiations, the U.S. and Ukraine signed a deal that is expected to give Washington access to the country’s critical minerals and other natural resources, an agreement Kyiv hopes will secure long-term support for its defense against Russia.

After months of fraught negotiations, and a near total rupture of US support, Kyiv and Washington have finally signed a deal that gives US companies privileged access to Ukraine’s valuable mineral resources.

Since the beginning of the new administration, it seemed Russia’s needs and views of the war were being promoted by Trump officials, but the tone appears to be changing.