Ukraine is pushing back against US demands for a $500 billion compensation fund tied to a deal that would give Washington a share of the country’s mineral wealth, according to a Ukrainian official familiar with the ongoing negotiations.

The proposed fund is meant to reimburse the US for its military and financial aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion. However, Ukrainian officials argue that the actual amount should be significantly lower—around $90 billion, rather than the $500 billion suggested by Washington.

Talks are still ongoing, with negotiators needing more time to finalise the details. President Volodymyr Zelensky has yet to approve the current draft, as it contains provisions that raise concerns, according to another person close to the discussions.

President Donald Trump has been pressuring Zelensky to accept the deal, particularly as tensions grow between the two leaders. 

There are also increasing concerns that Ukraine could be excluded from future peace talks between the US and Russia. 

Trump has emphasised that the US expects financial returns for its support, telling a political conference that America is “going to get our money back” and will seek compensation through Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, oil, and other resources.