U.S. Pushes Ukraine to Accept Ceasefire as Condition for Minerals Deal Bloomberg Says

The United States is pressing Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire with Russia as part of a minerals deal, Bloomberg reported on March 6, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The proposed agreement, which has been stalled since last week’s dispute between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, could move forward if Kyiv commits to a clear path toward truce negotiations, the sources said.

The conditions attached to the economic cooperation accord have delayed its finalization despite public statements from both Trump and Zelenskyy signaling a willingness to proceed, according to sources speaking on condition of anonymity. Some officials expect movement on the deal in the coming days, though others caution that Trump’s stance could shift.

The White House has not responded to requests for comment, Bloomberg reports. Several Trump administration officials have described the minerals deal as a key component of the president’s broader strategy for Ukraine.

There is no indication that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is prepared to end the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, nor that the U.S. is exerting similar pressure on Moscow. Any ceasefire would require the participation of both parties.

The U.S. has intensified pressure on Zelenskyy by suspending military aid and cutting off intelligence sharing, a move European officials believe is intended to push Ukraine toward Trump’s goals. The halt in intelligence access is seen as unprecedented and could strain transatlantic relations, current and former officials said.

Meanwhile, U.S. officials have also engaged in discussions with Russia, one source said, though it remains unclear whether Washington is urging Moscow to negotiate.

The Trump administration has suggested that any ceasefire deal would require Ukraine to make territorial concessions and exclude NATO membership. Whether additional security guarantees will be offered beyond those linked to the minerals deal remains uncertain.

Led by the UK and France, European leaders are developing a security plan for Ukraine that would require U.S. backing. However, Trump has not committed to supporting such guarantees.