Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, announced that they have commenced discussions with the US on the new draft of the rare earth elements agreement text. Sybiha, who met with Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kestutis Budris in Kiev, informed that they have started consultations with the US on the rare earth elements agreement text. Following their bilateral meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sybiha and Budris held a joint press conference. Sybiha expressed gratitude to Lithuania for their support and highlighted that Budris was pleased to be in Ukraine. He shared details with Budris regarding ceasefire negotiations in Saudi Arabia, reminding that decisions were made to halt attacks on energy infrastructure during these talks. Despite this decision, Sybiha noted that Russia continues to target Ukraine’s energy facilities, causing damage in regions like Herson, Harkiv, and Poltava, leaving 45,000 people without power after an attack on an electricity facility in Herson earlier that morning. Emphasizing that Russia will not relinquish the territories it has occupied in Ukraine, Sybiha indicated that Ukraine being a member of the European Union (EU) and NATO could provide significant security guarantees. Sybiha also addressed the preparations for the rare earth elements agreement that Ukraine holds with the US. He mentioned that on March 28, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received the new draft of the agreement from the US through diplomatic channels, adding that they are working to establish a mutually acceptable text. Sybiha stated that Ukraine was ready to sign the previously developed framework agreement but noted changes in the agreement text. He explained, “We have our own laws for developing such a document. Accordingly, appropriate measures have been taken to initiate the necessary internal procedures. I confirm that we have started consultations with the US on the draft agreement.”