Kyiv has agreed to terms with Washington on a minerals deal that Ukrainian officials hope will strengthen relations with the Trump administration and pave the way for a long-term US security commitment.

The agreement, dated February 24, establishes a joint investment fund to which Ukraine will contribute 50% of proceeds from the future monetization of state-owned mineral resources, including oil and gas, as per a Financial Times report.

The fund will be used to invest in Ukrainian development projects.

Crucially, the deal excludes existing mineral revenues that already contribute to Ukraine’s state budget, meaning it does not affect Naftogaz or Ukrnafta, the country’s largest gas and oil producers.

The development comes a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin signalled openness to offer the US access to Russia’s rare minerals, potentially as a countermeasure to a possible US-Ukraine deal.

The finer details of the US-Ukraine deal

The original proposal from Trump’s administration included a $500 billion claim on potential Ukrainian mineral revenues.

That demand had sparked outrage in Kyiv and European capitals and was ultimately removed from the final agreement.

Despite the revised terms, the final deal does not include US security guarantees, which Kyiv had initially sought as part of the negotiations, the report stated citing sources.

Trump’s administration has instead pursued a shift in US policy, engaging in bilateral talks with Russia that exclude Ukraine and European allies.

Before implementation, the agreement must be ratified by Ukraine’s parliament, where opposition lawmakers are expected to challenge its terms.

Officials have emphasized that no revenues will change hands until the fund is formally established and further details, including its legal jurisdiction, are finalized.

The agreement is being framed as part of a broader US-Ukraine partnership, though its long-term implications remain uncertain.

As per the report, the agreement has been approved by Ukraine’s justice, economy, and foreign ministries, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to travel to Washington for a signing ceremony with Trump in the coming weeks.

Ukraine’s minerals

Ukraine estimates that about 5% of the world’s critical raw materials are located within its borders, making it a key player in the global supply chain for essential minerals.

These resources are vital for industries ranging from energy storage to aerospace and defense.

The country holds 19 million tonnes of proven graphite reserves, placing it among the top five global suppliers, according to the Ukrainian Geological Survey.

Graphite is a crucial component in the production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, making Ukraine a strategic resource hub for the green energy transition.

In addition, Ukraine possesses a third of all European lithium deposits, a key material in battery technology. As demand for lithium surges with the global push toward electrification, Ukraine’s reserves could become increasingly important.

Before Russia’s invasion, Ukraine accounted for 7% of global titanium production. Titanium is a lightweight yet strong metal used extensively in aerospace, power generation, and industrial applications.

Further, Ukraine has significant reserves of rare earth metals, a group of 17 elements essential for producing weapons systems, wind turbines, electronics, and other modern technologies.

These materials are critical for defense and high-tech industries worldwide.

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Starbucks is making significant changes to its menu, with several beverages set to be discontinued next week.

The coffee giant announced on Monday that starting Tuesday, March 4, it will remove a selection of drinks, including several blended Frappuccino varieties, the Royal English Breakfast Latte, and the White Hot Chocolate.

“These items aren’t commonly purchased, can be complex to make, or are similar to other beverages on our menu,” Starbucks stated.

The company added that the decision to streamline its offerings would help reduce wait times, improve consistency, and “make way for innovation.”

While some drinks will disappear, Starbucks has assured customers that new and seasonal offerings will continue to be introduced.

The company recently launched the Cortado beverage and plans to roll out an “Iced Cherry Chai” this spring.

Starbucks to lay off 1,100 corporate employees

Alongside its menu overhaul, Starbucks is undergoing a broader corporate restructuring.

This week, the company will lay off 1,100 corporate employees worldwide.

CEO Brian Niccol, who took over in August 2024, cited the need for increased operational efficiency as the primary reason for the job cuts.

Niccol was brought in to reinvigorate Starbucks amid declining demand in key markets such as the US and China, where inflation has hit consumer spending.

Where does SBUX stand after the changes?

Since Niccol’s appointment, Starbucks’ stock price has risen nearly 20%, as investors show confidence in his leadership.

The share price hit a new 52-week high on Tuesday, reaching $115.08 and pushing the coffee giant’s market capitalization to $130 billion.

After the announcement of corporate layoffs, Evercore ISI has reaffirmed its Outperform rating on Starbucks, setting a price target of $120.

According to Evercore ISI, Starbucks’ corporate general and administrative expenses stood at $1.8 billion in fiscal 2024, against an operating income of $5.4 billion.

The firm estimates that a 3% reduction in corporate overhead costs could lead to a 1% increase in total operating income.

Since taking over in September, Niccol has introduced some significant changes. Invezz takes a look:

Reversing the open-door policy

One of Niccol’s most controversial moves has been the reversal of Starbucks’ open-door policy.

In January, he announced that only paying customers would be allowed to sit in-store or use the restrooms.

This marked a shift from the company’s 2018 policy, which allowed anyone to enter Starbucks locations, a decision made following public backlash over the arrest of two Black men in a Philadelphia store.

While the open-door policy was originally intended to promote inclusivity, Starbucks employees have since reported challenges with safety and enforcing store policies.

Niccol framed the reversal as a necessary step to ensure both customer and employee comfort.

Return of condiment bars and ceramic mugs

In an effort to restore Starbucks’ traditional café experience, the company reintroduced condiment bars, allowing customers to personalize their drinks with milk, creamer, and sweeteners.

Additionally, those who order beverages “for here” will now receive them in ceramic mugs or glassware.

“Offering customers who sit and stay their beverages in ceramic mugs and glassware is one way we’re returning our cafés to warm, welcoming coffeehouses,” a Starbucks spokesperson said.

The move is also aimed at reducing waste and promoting sustainability.

Eliminating dairy alternative surcharges

Starbucks has also eliminated the extra charge for non-dairy milk, a change that took effect on November 7.

According to the company, substituting non-dairy milk—whether soy, oat, almond, or coconut milk—is the second most requested customization among customers.

The most popular customization remains adding a shot of espresso to handcrafted beverages.

When this change goes into effect on November 7, almost half of Starbucks’ current customers in the US who pay to modify their beverage at company-operated stores will see a price reduction of more than 10%, it added.

Previously, customers paid up to 80 cents extra for non-dairy milk in certain markets.

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Amy Gleason has been identified as the administrator of President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), multiple reports stated citing White House officials on Tuesday.

The confirmation came shortly after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt assured that Elon Musk was not the one in charge of the unit.

However, Leavitt repeatedly declined to name the DOGE administrator during a press briefing, fueling speculation about Musk’s actual role.

What is Elon Musk’s role?

The White House has confirmed that Elon Musk holds the status of a special government employee, a designation allowing part-time civil service roles for individuals with specialized expertise.

In addition to this, Musk also serves as a senior advisor to the president.

Musk previously hosted a DOGE update on X—the social media platform he owns—alongside members of Congress.

President Donald Trump later told reporters that he had inquired about the types of people DOGE had hired.

During the press briefing, Leavitt stated that Musk is set to attend Trump’s first cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Musk’s involvement with DOGE is also at the center of multiple lawsuits challenging the unit’s mass layoffs, contract cancellations, and attempts to shut down entire federal agencies.

In one lawsuit, Trump administration aide Joshua Fisher, who directs the Office of Administration, stated that Musk is a senior advisor to Trump but has “no actual or formal authority to make government decisions himself.”

Fisher also asserted that Musk is not an employee of the DOGE entities Trump created via executive order.

During a separate federal court hearing on Monday, a Trump administration lawyer reportedly struggled to answer a judge’s questions about Musk’s specific role within DOGE, adding to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding his involvement.

Who is Amy Gleason?

According to her LinkedIn profile, Gleason has been a senior adviser at the US Digital Service (USDS) since January.

The USDS, originally established under the Obama administration, was created to modernize the government’s technology infrastructure.

Following Trump’s return to office last month, the USDS was renamed to the US DOGE Service.

Gleason previously served as a digital services expert at the USDS from October 2018 to December 2021, working under both the Biden administration and the first Trump administration.

Before joining the USDS, Gleason was the vice president for research at the Cure JM Foundation, a nonprofit focused on Juvenile Myositis research and support, where she served for nearly five years.

Amy Gleason began her career in nursing before discovering a passion for technology.

Recognizing the potential of technology to enhance healthcare, she dedicated years to developing and implementing electronic medical record and practice management systems.

Earlier in her career, she co-founded CareSync, where she held leadership roles as chief operating officer and chief strategy officer, focusing on care coordination and healthcare technology solutions.

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US President Donald Trump has announced plans to replace the EB-5 immigrant investor visa program with a new “gold card” initiative, allowing wealthy foreigners to purchase a pathway to American citizenship for $5 million.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trump said the EB-5 program—which grants green cards to foreign investors who contribute to US job creation—was riddled with fraud and inefficiencies.

Instead, he intends to introduce a premium alternative that would offer green card privileges and a streamlined route to citizenship.

“We are going to be selling a gold card,” Trump stated.

“We are going to be putting a price on that card of about $5 million.”

He emphasized that the new program would attract high-net-worth individuals to the US while eliminating loopholes in the existing system.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick reinforced the administration’s stance, calling the EB-5 program outdated and flawed.

“It was full of nonsense, make-believe, and fraud. The president decided it’s time to replace it with something better—so we’re introducing the Trump gold card,” Lutnick said.

When asked whether Russian oligarchs could qualify, Trump acknowledged the possibility.

“Yeah, possibly. Hey, I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people,” he remarked.

Further details about the gold card program are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

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Friedrich Merz is poised to become Germany’s next chancellor, but his victory may not deliver the stability many voters had hoped for.

The 2025 election marks a major turning point for Germany, with a sharp rightward shift and the collapse of the center-left.

Although Merz’s CDU/CSU secured the most votes, they fell short of a clear majority, complicating the path to stable governance.

The far-right AfD surged to second place, making coalition-building even more challenging. Meanwhile, economic stagnation, an aging population, and growing tensions with the U.S. present significant hurdles for the next government.

Germany has long been viewed as Europe’s pillar of stability, but that reputation now faces serious uncertainty.

Did voters actually get the change they wanted?

The message from voters was clear: they wanted change.

The turnout was 84%, the highest since 1990, which shows how much people cared about this election.

But the results tell a more complicated story.

The CDU/CSU won with 28.5%, a comfortable lead but far from a majority.

The SPD, which led the previous government, suffered its worst defeat since 1890 with just 16.4%.

The Greens held steady at 11.6%, while the FDP collapsed, failing to reach the 5% threshold to stay in parliament.

The big winner was the AfD. They doubled their support in 2021, securing 20.8% and becoming Germany’s second-largest party.

Their success was strongest in the East, where many voters felt left behind by Berlin’s policies.

Younger voters (18-24) also leaned toward political extremes, favoring the AfD on the right and the Left Party on the opposite end, while traditional parties like the CDU and SPD struggled to attract youth support.

Nevertheless, this election didn’t produce a clear mandate.

The CDU/CSU now faces the difficult task of forming a government, but their options are limited.

A coalition headache for Merz

Unlike other European countries, Germany does not allow minority governments.

That means Merz needs a coalition partner to govern.

Germany’s system requires a Bundestag majority (50%+1 seats) for a chancellor to be elected and pass laws, so parties must negotiate coalitions when no single party wins outright.

The CDU/CSU ruled out working with the AfD, citing major disagreements on NATO, the euro, and foreign policy.

That leaves the SPD or the Greens as the only realistic partners.

Both are reluctant, especially since Merz’s policies on deregulation, immigration, and tax cuts clash with their agendas.

The SPD is still reeling from its worst result in modern history and there’s a chance they may not want to enter government at all.

Some party leaders have suggested letting their members vote on any coalition deal, which makes things even more complicated.

If no deal is reached, Germany could face prolonged political paralysis.

The longer it takes to form a government, the weaker confidence will become, both at home and abroad.

Can Germany fix its economy?

Beyond politics, Germany’s biggest challenge is its economy.

The country has now endured two years of economic contraction, with no real recovery in sight.

Growth forecasts are grim. The German Council of Economic Experts predicts potential growth of just 0.3%-0.4% per year for the rest of the decade, far below the 1.4% average from 2000 to 2019.

The main reason is that Germany’s population is aging rapidly.

Over the next four years, 5.2 million Germans will retire, while only 3.1 million young workers will enter the workforce.

That imbalance will shrink the labor force, increase pension costs, and strain the federal budget.

Meanwhile, rising healthcare costs and high social security contributions, which are already high at 42% of gross income, are making life harder for businesses and workers.

Merz has promised an “Agenda 2030” to revitalize the economy through tax cuts, deregulation, and incentives for older workers to stay employed.

But how he plans to pay for these policies remains unclear, especially with a coalition partner likely to push back on his more conservative ideas.

Is Germany turning against the US?

Germany’s political and economic challenges are happening at a time when its relationship with the US is deteriorating.

Merz has made it clear that he sees European security as a top priority.

After Donald Trump’s return to the White House, Merz warned that Washington’s commitment to NATO is no longer guaranteed, saying:

“America First may mean America alone.”

Merz believes that Germany and the EU might need to build their defense capabilities, especially since Trump is now pivoting to Russia’s side.

This is a big deal for Germany.

Since World War II, Germany has relied on US security guarantees. If that changes, Germany may have to increase its defense spending beyond the current commitments to Ukraine (€28 billion so far) and NATO.

That would put further pressure on an already stretched budget.

Meanwhile, trade tensions with the U.S. could also complicate Germany’s economic recovery.

Protectionist policies from both sides threaten German exports, particularly in the manufacturing and automotive sectors.

What’s next for Germany?

Germany’s election results have clearly shown that voters want change.

The CDU/CSU won, but their path to forming a government is far from certain.

The economy is slowing down, and demographic shifts will make growth harder to sustain.

Meanwhile, relations with the U.S. are evolving in ways that could force Germany to take on new responsibilities it isn’t fully prepared for.

For now, the biggest risk isn’t just economic stagnation or political gridlock, but the loss of confidence.

If the new government cannot deliver on voter expectations, extremist parties like the AfD may grow even stronger by the next election.

Experts believe that Germany is facing its biggest challenge since its reunification.

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