Washington will provide Ukraine with a post-war “security shield” if Kyiv hands over rare earth minerals, Donald Trump’s transport secretary has said.

Scott Bessent, the first cabinet-level official on Donald Trump’s team to visit Kyiv, was speaking after Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, said he hoped to reach a ceasefire agreement later this week.

The US president, who wants a rapid end to the war with Russia, has said he wants $500 billion in rare earth minerals for continued US support.

Mr Bessent told reporters that the minerals are part of a “larger peace deal that Trump has in mind”, adding that his first visit to Ukraine showed that the war was a top priority for the Trump administration.

“By increasing our economic commitment through a partnership with the government and people of Ukraine, that will provide – once this conflict is over – it will provide a long-term security shield for all Ukrainians,” Mr Bessent said.