The Ukraine-US minerals deal struck on Wednesday pursuant to fraught negotiations for months raises the prospects for a peace process to end the longest war in Europe in 80 years. At the very least, the development signals a return to civility after negotiations were derailed following an acrimonious exchange in February in the White House between

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.

Ukraine's parliament will hold a vote on May 8 to ratify a minerals deal signed with the United States earlier this week, a lawmaker said on Friday, while two other documents pertaining to the agreement will not need to be ratified.