US and Ukraine ‘preparing to sign minerals deal on Tuesday’, reports suggest – as it happened
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This blog is now closed. We’re covering Trump’s speech to Congress – during which he might announce a Ukraine minerals deal, in a separate blog here: 

### US and Ukraine ‘preparing to sign minerals deal on Tuesday’, reports suggest – as it happened

#### 1. 4 Mar 2025

**A summary of today's developments**

*   U.S. president Donald Trump’s administration and Ukraine plan to sign the much-debated minerals deal, people familiar with the situation told Reuters. Trump told his advisers he wants to announce the agreement in his address to Congress on Tuesday evening, three of the sources said, cautioning that the deal had yet to be signed and the situation could change.
*   The latest developments underline the chaotic nature of the relationship between Kyiv and Washington under .
*   Coming just hours after the US halted military aid for Ukraine, the latest developments underline the chaotic nature of the relationship between Kyiv and Washington under .

#### 2. 15.59 EST

**German 'debt brake' plan could boost defence spending by €500bn**

The prospective partners in Germany’s next government said they will seek to loosen rules on running up debt to allow for higher defence spending.

They said they will also seek to set up a huge €500bn ($533bn) fund to finance spending on Germany’s infrastructure over the next 10 years.

Center-right election winner , who is trying to put together a coalition government with the center-left Social Democrats of the outgoing chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said the two sides will propose exempting spending of more than 1% of gross domestic product on defence from rules that limit the government’s ability to borrow money.

“In view of the increasing threat situation, it is clear to us that  – and with Europe, the Federal Republic of Germany – must now very quickly make very big efforts very quickly to strengthen the defence capability of our country and the European continent,” Merz told reporters at a hastily convened news conference.

“We are counting on the United States of America standing by our mutual alliance commitments in the future as well,” he said. “But we also know that the funding for the defence of our country and alliance must now be expanded significantly.”

The necessary decisions “no longer tolerate any delay, at the latest since the most  by the American government,” Merz said.

#### 3. 14.41 EST

**Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch praised Volodymyr Zelenskyy for “keeping a cool head in very difficult circumstances”**

In a post on X referring to the Ukrainian leader’s earlier message, Badenoch said: “A good statement from President Zelensky who is keeping a cool head in very difficult circumstances.”

“He wants peace, but some define that as simply an immediate end to fighting. It needs to be much more than that – a long-term peace guarantee. This requires both the US and  at the negotiating table.

“It will be a lot easier to do that if the criticisms of both Ukraine and the US from various commentators are sparing and focused on material issues.

“This matters for the UK’s national interest. If the US withdraws from this process, or if Ukraine fails to get peace, the cost to the UK in terms of national security, possible troop deployment as well as taxpayers’ money will be significantly increased.”

#### 4. 13.47 EST

**Ireland has announced it will contribute a further €100 million to provide non-lethal military support to **

Some €20m will be given to de-mining and IT coalitions with a further €80m into an EU procurement fund for radar and anti-drone jamming devices among other supports.

Ireland has previously contributed €250m through a European peace facility fund but as it operates political neutrality the money has been ringfenced for non-lethal aid including land mine clearances and fuel.

Deputy prime minister Simon Harris said: “We will also continue to work with our EU and international partners towards a just, comprehensive and lasting peace on Ukraine’s terms, based on respect for the principles of the UN Charter and international law, and with justice and accountability at its heart.”

#### 5. 13.24 EST

**US and Ukraine 'preparing to sign minerals deal on Tuesday'**

U.S. president Donald Trump’s administration and  plan to sign the much-debated minerals deal, people familiar with the situation told Reuters.

Trump has told his advisers he wants to announce the agreement in his address to Congress on Tuesday evening, three of the sources said, cautioning that the deal had yet to be signed and the situation could change.

 that resulted in the Ukrainian leader’s swift departure from the White House.

Zelenskyy had traveled to Washington to sign the deal.

#### 6. 13.34 EST

**Merz added he would be speaking with chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday about additional aid for **

Merz added that all defence spending above one per cent of GDP would be exempt from the debt brake restrictions and he has informed the Greens and FDP parties of the proposals.

#### 7. 13.39 EST

**Merz added that all defence spending above one per cent of GDP would be exempt from the debt brake restrictions and he has informed the Greens and FDP parties of the proposals**

“We are aware of the scale of the tasks ahead of us, and we want to take the first necessary steps and decisions,” Merz said.

#### 8. 13.27 EST

**Merz added he would be speaking with chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday about additional aid for **

“We are aware of the scale of the tasks ahead of us, and we want to take the first necessary steps and decisions,” Merz said.

#### 9. 13.14 EST

**Merz added he would be speaking with chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday about additional aid for **

“We are aware of the scale of the tasks ahead of us, and we want to take the first necessary steps and decisions,” Merz said.

#### 10. 13.14 EST

**Merz added he would be speaking with chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday about additional aid for **

“We are aware of the scale of the tasks ahead of us, and we want to take the first necessary steps and decisions,” Merz said.

#### 11. 13.14 EST

**Merz added he would be speaking with chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday about additional aid for **

“We are aware of the scale of the tasks ahead of us, and we want to take the first necessary steps and decisions,” Merz said.

#### 12. 13.14 EST

**Merz added he would be speaking with chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday about additional aid for **

“We are aware of the scale of the tasks ahead of us, and we want to take the first necessary steps and decisions,” Merz said.

#### 13.14 EST

**Merz added he would be speaking with chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday about additional aid for **

“We are aware of the scale of the tasks ahead of us, and we want to take the first necessary steps and decisions,” Merz said.

#### 14.14 EST

**Merz added he would be speaking with chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday about additional aid for **

“We are aware of the scale of the tasks ahead of us, and we want to take the first necessary steps and decisions,” Merz said.

#### 14.01 EST

**Merz added he would be speaking with chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday about additional aid for **

“We are aware of the scale of the tasks ahead of us, and we want to take the first necessary steps and decisions,” Merz said.

#### 14.01 EST

**Merz added he would be speaking with chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday about additional aid for **

“We are aware of the scale of the tasks ahead of us, and we want to take the first necessary steps and decisions,” Merz said.

#### 13.34 EST

**Merz added he would be speaking with chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday about additional aid for **

“We are aware of the scale of the tasks ahead of us, and we want to take the first necessary steps and decisions,” Merz said.

#### 13.34 EST

**Merz added he would be speaking with chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday about additional aid for **

“We are aware of the scale of the tasks ahead of us, and we want to take the first necessary steps and decisions,” Merz said.

#### 13.34 EST

**Merz added he would be speaking with chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday about additional aid for **

“We are aware of the scale of the tasks ahead of us, and we want to take the first necessary steps and decisions,” Merz said.

#### 13.34 EST

**Merz added he would be speaking with chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday about additional aid for **

“We are aware of the scale of the tasks ahead of us, and we want to take the first necessary steps and decisions,” Merz said.

#### 13.34 EST

**Merz added he would be speaking with chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday about additional aid for **

“We are aware of the scale of the tasks ahead of us, and we want to take the first necessary steps and decisions,” Merz said.

#### 13.27 EST

**Merz added he would be speaking with chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday about additional aid for **

“We are aware of the scale of the tasks ahead of us, and we want to take the first necessary steps and decisions,” Merz said.

#### 13.27 EST

**Merz added he would be speaking with chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday about additional aid for **

“We are aware of the scale of the tasks ahead of us, and we want to take the first necessary steps and decisions,” Merz said.
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