EU proposes deal with Ukraine on 'critical materials'

The European Union proposed an agreement with Ukraine Monday on "critical materials", a top official said, promising a "win-win" deal even as US President Donald Trump seeks his own deal on accessing Kyiv's minerals.

The European Commissioner for industrial strategy, Stephane Sejourne, said he had suggested a different potential deal to Ukrainian officials during a visit to Kyiv with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen.

"Twenty-one of the 30 critical materials Europe needs can be provided by Ukraine in a win-win partnership," Sejourne said after the meeting, which came on the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion.

"The added value Europe offers is that we will never demand a deal that's not mutually beneficial," he added.