The US has struck a deal with Ukraine to split the profits from the future sale of the war-torn nation's mineral reserves.
The agreement follows months of negotiations between the countries, with Ukraine seeing the deal as a crucial step towards obtaining military aid from America.
The BBC reports US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said the deal demonstrates that both countries are committed to reaching and maintaining peace and prosperity in Ukraine.
The Eastern European nation is thought to boast huge quantities of graphite, titanium and lithium, minerals in high-demand due to their use in the renewable energy, military technology and industrial infrastructure sectors.
At present, the vast majority of such rare minerals are sourced from China, so the deal is highly significant to the US in the context of its trade war with China.