Waltz calls Ukraine's security guarantees a key part of metals deal

Security guarantees are a key part of a possible deal between Ukraine and the USA on rare earth metals. Mike Waltz, the White House assistant to the White House chief of staff for national security, said this at a briefing at the White House on 20 February.

At the same time, the official noted that the end of the conflict and overcoming the Ukrainian crisis largely depends on negotiations with Russia.

"Our negotiations with the Russian side do cover a broader range of topics, but as President [US President Donald Trump] has made clear, the first step must be a cessation of hostilities," he said.

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On the same day, Reuters reported that the U.S. and Ukraine could strike a simplified rare earth metals deal. The move comes in the context of Ukrainian President Zelensky's rejection of a previous U.S. offer that would have seen the United States receive 50 percent of the country's key minerals.