US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has claimed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will sign a mineral deal with the States very soon.

       Appearing at the Conservative conference CPAC, Mr Waltz said: "Well, look, here’s the bottom line. President Zelensky is going to sign that deal, and you will see that in the very short term.

       "And that is good for Ukraine. What better could you have for Ukraine than to be in an economic partnership with the United States?"

       Mr Waltz also said the war in Ukraine will "end soon" under the Trump presidency.

       During his conference speech, he added: “By the end of this all, we are going to have the Nobel Peace Prize sitting next to the name of Donald J. Trump.”

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       Ukraine previously said it was not ready to sign the agreement, which President Trump says would reflect the amount of aid the US has given to Kyiv during the conflict with Russia.

       Mr Waltz on Thursday urged Kyiv to "tone down" its stance and sign the deal.

       The US administration is reportedly seeking a 50% interest in Ukraine's natural resources, which includes critical minerals, as well as stakes in ports and other infrastructure.

       Ukraine has one of Europe's largest deposits of critical minerals, including lithium and titanium.

       The country also has considerable deposits of coal, gas, oil and uranium.

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       More than 5% of the world's critical raw materials have been estimated to be located within Ukraine.

       This comes amid a growing rift between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky, after the US President called him a "dictator" and appeared to accuse Ukraine of starting the war with Russia.

       Mr Zelensky responded by saying Mr Trump is "living in a disinformation space" created by Russia.

       Mr Trump is looking to end the war, and US and Russian officials have held talks over a peace deal in Saudi Arabia.

       The talks did not include Ukraine - and Mr Zelensky has vowed to not accept any deal made without Kyiv's involvement.

       Next week marks the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

       Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says he is willing to put British boots on the ground in Ukraine if required to support a peace deal.