By Ben Aris in Berlin Ukraine has signed a preliminary memorandum of understanding with the US on the controversial minerals deal after months of wrangling, but many important details of the deal still need to be agreed,

The memorandum of intent paves the way for an economic partnership deal and the setting-up of an investment fund for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

The signed memorandum of understanding was thin on details, and the White House did not comment. But President Trump has said he expects to sign a minerals deal with Kyiv soon.