A draft deal between the United States and Ukraine over rare earth minerals and other natural resources is “not the one President Zelensky would accept,” according to a source familiar with the negotiations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is "not ready" to sign a minerals deal with the United States, a source told AFP on Saturday, raising questions about Washington's demands as a rift between the two countries deepened.

The progress in talks comes after President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky traded sharp rhetoric.