After days of tense negotiations between Washington and Kyiv over a rare earth minerals deal, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday announced that the framework for the deal with the United States is in place, but it does not yet include the security guarantees that Kyiv considers essential for its ongoing war against Russia.A full agreement may depend on high-stakes talks scheduled in Washington as early as Friday, Zelenskyy said during a news conference in Kyiv, adding that without future security for Ukraine there would be no ‘just peace … we will not have a ceasefire, what Trump spoke about’.The US President had earlier said Zelenskyy is likely to visit the White House on Friday to sign a rare earth minerals deal to pay for US military aid in defending against Russia’s full-scale invasion.“I hear that he’s coming on Friday,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday in the Oval Office. “Certainly it’s OK with me if he’d like to. And he would like to sign it together with me. And I understand that’s a big deal, very big deal.”The economic framework is a preliminary step toward a more comprehensive package, which will require ratification by the Ukrainian parliament. However, Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine first needs clarity on continued US military support.“The economic agreement may be part of future security guarantees, but I want to understand the broader vision. What awaits Ukraine?” he said.Since returning to office, President Donald Trump has signaled that future US aid will come with conditions. His administration has pressed Ukraine to grant American companies access to its vast reserves of minerals critical to the aerospace, defense, and nuclear industries.Story continues below this adInitially, Zelenskyy pushed back, arguing that the US proposals lacked adequate security assurances and that the suggested $500 billion price tag would impose a massive financial burden on Ukraine for generations. However, Kyiv also sees US investment as a potential way to solidify long-term American support.The latest version of the agreement, reviewed by the Associated Press, states that the US “supports Ukraine’s efforts to obtain security guarantees needed to establish lasting peace,” but does not outline any concrete American commitments.“Participants will seek to identify any necessary steps to protect mutual investments as defined in the … agreement,” the text reads.A White House official, speaking to AP, confirmed Wednesday that accepting the economic deal was a precondition for Trump’s invitation to meet with Zelenskyy on Friday.Story continues below this ad“This agreement may either be a great success or quietly fade away,” Zelenskyy acknowledged. “And I believe success depends on our conversation with President Trump.”Trump’s foreign policy has already upended traditional US positions, including efforts to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin. His skepticism toward NATO and European allies has raised concerns in Kyiv and across the continent about the future of US military aid.Zelenskyy said he plans to ask Trump whether military support will continue and, if not, whether Ukraine would be able to purchase American weapons directly. He also wants clarity on whether Ukraine could use frozen Russian assets to buy weapons and fund reconstruction, and whether Washington intends to lift sanctions on Moscow.Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Wednesday that US and Russian diplomats will meet in Istanbul on Thursday to discuss embassy operations in Moscow and Washington, further signaling a shift in relations between the two powers.Story continues below this adAs Kyiv navigates these shifting geopolitical currents, Zelenskyy emphasised his desire for coordination with Washington.“I want to coordinate with the US,” he said.The preliminary economic agreement also outlines terms for an investment fund dedicated to Ukraine’s reconstruction, according to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.