Ukraine marked three years of full-scale war with Russia on Monday by hosting European leaders, while top US officials notably stayed away, underscoring President Donald Trump’s shifting stance toward Moscow since his return to office.

Amid tensions following Trump’s remarks calling President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator” and urging elections that remain banned under martial law, Kyiv announced it was in the final stages of negotiating a mineral wealth agreement with Washington.

“We hope both US and UA leaders might sign and endorse it in Washington the soonest to showcase our commitment for decades to come,” Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna wrote on X, signaling Kyiv’s push for a direct meeting with Trump.

The agreement is central to Ukraine’s efforts to secure continued US support, but negotiations have been fraught with disagreements over its terms. Zelensky previously rejected a draft version in which Washington sought $500 billion worth of Ukraine’s natural resources, arguing that US aid had fallen far short of that amount and that the deal lacked critical security guarantees.

A Ukrainian government official told Reuters that Kyiv had submitted “final changes” to the agreement and was awaiting Washington’s response. However, US negotiators have reportedly resisted including language that would offer Ukraine formal security guarantees.

“We see the issue of guarantees as something that should be addressed directly between the presidents,” the Ukrainian source stated, suggesting the final terms may be left for Zelensky and Trump to negotiate personally.