Kyiv is still refusing to sign a critical minerals deal with U.S. President Donald Trump, arguing that the terms proposed by America will punitively hit generations of Ukrainiansç Politico reported.

“I will not sign what ten generations of Ukrainians will have to pay back,” said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a press conference Sunday.

The deal involves the U.S. gaining preferential access to hundreds of billions of dollars worth of Ukraine's critical minerals, which the Trump administration is demanding as payback for already-provided aid, while offering no clear security guarantees or prospects of future aid for Kyiv in return.

On Monday, a senior Ukrainian official said that the contours of a deal were coming into view.

"Ukrainian and U.S. teams are in the final stages of negotiations regarding the minerals agreement. The negotiations have been very constructive, with nearly all key details finalized. We are committed to completing this swiftly to proceed with its signature," Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Olga Stefanishyna said in a post on X on Monday.

"We hope both US and UA leaders might sign and endorse it in Washington the soonest to showcase our commitment for decades to come," Stefanishyna added.

Under Trump's leadership, the White House has vowed to end the Russia-Ukraine war as soon as possible, while shifting America's stance to echo Russia's narrative about Kyiv provoking Moscow into starting the conflict. The U.S. is also looking to stop funding Ukraine's war effort.

“We’re funding with no arrangement to pay it back. Alternatively, the Europeans who are most affected by this war were funding the minority share and they had agreements to pay it back. This agreement is much about repayment for all that we have done on behalf of the Ukrainian people. I expect the deal to be signed this week,” said Steve Witkoff, a top ally of Trump.

After a week of public criticism from Trump, and also calls “to tone down public criticism" and do the deal from U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Ukrainians are hoping for a satisfactory result.

“I want the same as Donald Trump says he wants — to end the war as soon as possible. I believe he wants and will help us to end it. But the 'peace through strength' tactic should be applied on Russia first and foremost. We are partners and I want him to be on our side,” Zelenskyy said.

Ukrainians baffled

While Zelenskyy wants a deal, he has so far refused to sign two draft minerals agreements sent by the U.S.

The first rejected draft featured a demand Ukraine share 50 percent of the profits it would get from the minerals, put the deal under American jurisdiction, and said the U.S. would need $500 billion from Ukraine. It also featured no security guarantees for the future.

The second draft of the deal, obtained by The New York Times was even harsher, featuring Kyiv giving up minerals, oil and gas revenues, plus earnings from ports and other infrastructure through a special fund until it reaches the $500 billion Trump wants from Ukraine as compensation.

Ukrainians are baffled by Trump's estimate of a $500 billion debt, while Zelenskyy described the new version of the proposed debt as “credit with 100 percent interest rate where he has to return two dollars for every dollar US spent on aid to Ukraine.”

As Zelenskyy was speaking to the press, his top negotiators were still talking to Waltz about the deal. The $500 billion number had disappeared from the deal text as of Sunday, Zelenskyy said.

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