Kiev - The United States and Ukraine are expected to sign a comprehensive agreement to jointly invest in Ukraine's minerals, raw materials and natural resources, and these transactions will provide Ukraine with a level of U.S. support.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shyhal said on Ukraine's ICTV network that the country's deal host (Economic Minister Yulia Sveridenko) is heading to Washington to sign the deal with Finance Minister Scott Bessent.

Shyhal said the investment fund will establish a 50-50 partnership with the United States and will assist in the reconstruction and development of Ukraine.

"This is a very good partnership agreement that provides our country with huge benefits and investments and provides the possibility of obtaining military aid from the United States," Shyhal said.

He added: "The United States can also repeat new military aid to Ukraine, which is a contribution to this fund."

President Trump says it's a good choice for Ukraine and the United States

He pointed out that Ukraine has a large amount of rare earth metal deposits, which is a key element in batteries and other technologies. "We have a deal that our money is safe and we can start digging and doing what we have to do. It's good for them, too, because you'll have a U.S. presence on site." He said that this presence will keep a lot of bad actors away from the country, or certainly in the areas where we're digging. ”

"Our side is ready to sign," Finance Minister Bessent told reporters on Wednesday.

The signing could mark the victory of the Ukrainians following a series of twists and turns to negotiate with the United States, with the Trump administration urging Zelenskyy to sign a deal that provides little to Ukraine and will use profits to compensate the United States that has approved the country’s aid.

Zelenskyy refused to sign the agreement. On February 28, President and Vice President Vance publicly condemned Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, putting the deal in trouble.

But both leaders have the opportunity to talk face to face as they attend the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday. Zelenskyy described it as a "good meeting" in her social media post. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung told reporters that both leaders had “a very productive discussion” and said more details about the meeting would follow.

Once an agreement is reached, the Ukrainian parliament must still approve it.

Hanna Palamarenko of NPR contributed to this report in Kiev.