US President Donald Trump has said he has a "lot of respect" for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, on the eve of their talks at the White House.Asked if he would apologise for recently calling him a "dictator",

Trump has framed the emerging deal that would give the US access to Ukraine’s deposits of rare earth minerals as a chance for Kyiv to pay back the US for aid already sent.

The agreed-upon framework deal is a preliminary step toward a comprehensive agreement that will be subject to ratification by Ukraine's parliament.