US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. (Photo: Le Monde)

At a joint press conference, Trump said negotiations to end the Ukraine conflict are progressing well, adding he has had several "historic" phone calls with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

He said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is coming to Washington on Friday to sign a mineral deal.

According to Trump, this agreement is a prerequisite for Kyiv receiving further support from the US.

 “More of the progress toward peace will continue as President Zelensky visits the White House. He will be here tomorrow. The early part of the day, we will be signing a historic agreement that will make the United States the major partner developing Ukrainian minerals and rare earth, and oil and gases,” Trump said.

Additionally, the mineral agreement will provide the basis for a more sustainable future relationship between the United States and Ukraine, and that stimulates the long-term prosperity that will help the Ukrainians rebuild their country that has been demolished and the ruined infrastructure, he noted. 

Starmer expressed his desire to work with the United States to “deliver a good deal”.