Joanna Kakissis

Air defense systems can help shoot down Russian drones and missiles, says Roman Kostenko, a colonel in Ukraine's armed forces and a lawmaker on Parliament's Defense and National Security Committee. He says he has not heard how many Patriot systems are arriving, only that they will come from Israel. Joanna Kakisis, NPR News, Kyiv.

Thanks for having me, Michelle.

Thanks for having me, Michelle.

Thanks for having me, Michelle.

So Ukraine's economy minister, Yulia Svitodenko, she led Ukrainian negotiations on the deal, and she said... income would come from new licenses for critical minerals, things like graphite, titanium, lithium, as well as other natural resources. And she noted that Ukraine and the U.S.

So Ukraine's economy minister, Yulia Svitodenko, she led Ukrainian negotiations on the deal, and she said... income would come from new licenses for critical minerals, things like graphite, titanium, lithium, as well as other natural resources. And she noted that Ukraine and the U.S.

So Ukraine's economy minister, Yulia Svitodenko, she led Ukrainian negotiations on the deal, and she said... income would come from new licenses for critical minerals, things like graphite, titanium, lithium, as well as other natural resources. And she noted that Ukraine and the U.S.

will have equal voting rights over the investment fund and that Ukraine would keep total control of its infrastructure and natural resources. Now, U.S. mining companies are expected to make money, of course, as are other American companies if they end up being involved in Ukraine's reconstruction.

will have equal voting rights over the investment fund and that Ukraine would keep total control of its infrastructure and natural resources. Now, U.S. mining companies are expected to make money, of course, as are other American companies if they end up being involved in Ukraine's reconstruction.

will have equal voting rights over the investment fund and that Ukraine would keep total control of its infrastructure and natural resources. Now, U.S. mining companies are expected to make money, of course, as are other American companies if they end up being involved in Ukraine's reconstruction.

Well, the Ukrainians I've spoken to describe, I would describe their reaction as very guarded optimism. We spoke to Volodymyr Londa, a senior economist with the Center for Economic Strategy in Kiev. He's been following the minerals negotiations closely for months. And he says this deal at least does not smack of colonialism.

Well, the Ukrainians I've spoken to describe, I would describe their reaction as very guarded optimism. We spoke to Volodymyr Londa, a senior economist with the Center for Economic Strategy in Kiev. He's been following the minerals negotiations closely for months. And he says this deal at least does not smack of colonialism.

Well, the Ukrainians I've spoken to describe, I would describe their reaction as very guarded optimism. We spoke to Volodymyr Londa, a senior economist with the Center for Economic Strategy in Kiev. He's been following the minerals negotiations closely for months. And he says this deal at least does not smack of colonialism.

So unlike previous versions of the deal, Landa says, this version does not obstruct Ukraine on its path to the European Union. And crucially, it appears to not count previous U.S. military aid to Ukraine as debt that needs to be repaid.

So unlike previous versions of the deal, Landa says, this version does not obstruct Ukraine on its path to the European Union. And crucially, it appears to not count previous U.S. military aid to Ukraine as debt that needs to be repaid.

So unlike previous versions of the deal, Landa says, this version does not obstruct Ukraine on its path to the European Union. And crucially, it appears to not count previous U.S. military aid to Ukraine as debt that needs to be repaid.

Well, you know, some people here are sure hoping so because the relationship wasn't good to begin with. You will recall that in late February, this minerals agreement stalled when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the White House and President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance publicly berated him for not being grateful enough for U.S. support.

Well, you know, some people here are sure hoping so because the relationship wasn't good to begin with. You will recall that in late February, this minerals agreement stalled when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the White House and President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance publicly berated him for not being grateful enough for U.S. support.

Well, you know, some people here are sure hoping so because the relationship wasn't good to begin with. You will recall that in late February, this minerals agreement stalled when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the White House and President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance publicly berated him for not being grateful enough for U.S. support.

Zelensky had refused to sign an early draft of the minerals deal because he said it would have left generations of Ukrainians deeply in debt while giving them very little in return, especially Ukraine. security guarantees so Russia does not invade Ukraine again.