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Breaking News: Minerals deal was our idea, says Ukrainian official as Zelensky expected to meet Trump…… Check In

Donald Trump says he expects Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington on Friday to sign a minerals deal after a senior Ukrainian official says an agreement has been reached
Media reports say a revised version of the document appears to have dropped a US demand to get $500bn (£395bn) in potential revenue from accessing Ukrainian natural resources
However it reportedly does not give firm security guarantees to war-torn Ukraine – a key Ukrainian demand
Against a hostile backdrop where Washington has aligned itself with Moscow, it is hoped this agreement will pave the way for more co-operation between Kyiv and its once biggest ally, writes James Waterhouse
The minerals deal was initially Ukraine’s idea, Ukrainian official Yuri Sak tells the BBC, adding that there will be no point in signing any agreement if Russia can reinvade one month later
Meanwhile, UK Defence Secretary John Healey says “hard power is more important than soft power” as London cuts foreign aid to help fund a boost in defence spending