Looks like the Vatican may have scored a diplomatic victory in the Russia-Ukraine war. During the funeral for Pope Francis, the Holy See arranged for Donald Trump and Volodyyr Zelensky to talk one-on-one in St. Peter’s Basilica. Neither side outlined the discussion, but many presumed it rested in large part on the mineral-rights deal that Trump offered as a way to signal Russia that America had significant interests in Ukrainian sovereignty.
And just a few minutes ago … voila:
BREAKING: UKRAINE MINERALS DEAL SIGNED, TREASURY CONFIRMS pic.twitter.com/HXrTh2cS6c
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) April 30, 2025
Earlier in the day, it appeared that last-minute demands had snagged negotiations, although the Ukrainians sent their envoy to Washington anyway. They told reporters that they expected a final draft ready for signatures within a day:
“We are…
