President Donald Trump is "confident" of signing a key minerals deal with Ukraine, the White House said, in a move that could bolster US support for Kiev amid frustration over the delay in ceasefire talks with Russia. "Not only will this help the US recover the billions of dollars in tax dollars we've spent and indigenise control of some of our key minerals, but it will also help the Ukrainian people rebuild their homes after the conflict," Carolyn Levitt, White House press secretary, told reporters on Tuesday. She added: "He wants Ukraine to sign this agreement and is confident they will." According to a person familiar with the matter, negotiators from the United States and Ukraine are aiming to sign a mining agreement as soon as this week, which will regulate the development of Ukraine's mineral resources and infrastructure reconstruction after the war.