U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday the United States is close to a minerals deal with Ukraine as he and French President Emmanuel Macron held talks that covered the prospects for ending the Ukraine war amid stark differences on how to proceed.

President Donald Trump on Monday met with French President Emmanuel Macron, the first European leader to visit the White House since the U.S. president returned to office Jan. 20. Trump and Macron conducted a bilateral meeting and are planning a news conference Monday afternoon on the third anniversary of Russian's invasion of Ukraine.

The U.S. and Ukraine are near a deal to hand valuable mineral rights to the U.S., an agreement the Trump administration has sought as compensation for military aid to fight off Russia’s invasion, people familiar with the matter said.