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.

White House national security adviser Mike Waltz said on Friday he expects Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to sign a minerals agreement with the United States as part of efforts to end the Ukraine war,

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.

"Here's the bottom line, President Zelenskiy is going to sign that deal, and you will see that in the very short term," Waltz said in an appearance at the Conservative Political A

A U.S. official with knowledge of the negotiations said a new version of the deal between the two countries has been put on the table.