MOSCOW (Reuters) - Senior Russian security official Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday that the signing of a minerals deal between Ukraine and the United States meant U.S. President Donald Trump had forced Kyiv to pay for future U.S. military aid.

Kyiv and Washington on Thursday hailed a deal giving the United States preferential access to new Ukrainian minerals as a milestone which a top U.S. official said would allow President Donald Trump to negotiate with Russia on a stronger basis.

The announcement comes at a critical moment in the war as Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with leaders of Russia and Ukraine.

The two countries have vowed to expand bilateral relations after North Korea sent troops and weapons in support of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

North Korea and Russia have begun building their first road link, the two countries announced, hailing the construction of a bridge over a border river as a major development that will further expand

The announcement comes after North Korea confirmed for the first time its soldiers are fighting alongside Russia.

Officials say Russia has struck civilian areas of Ukraine with drones in another nighttime attack, killing a 12-year-old girl.

Ukraine says Russia launched more than 100 drones into Ukraine as pressure remains for a ceasefire deal. This comes as reports emerge of an imminent mineral deal between Ukraine and the U.S. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio reports.