MWE Correspondent
Ukraine and the United States have finalized an agreement granting Washington access to essential rare minerals and supporting reconstruction efforts in the war-affected nation.
The two nations formalized the accord in Washington, DC, on Wednesday after months of challenging negotiations, with uncertainty lingering until the very end due to reports of last-minute proposals to alter parts of the agreement.
The agreement represents a significant advancement in US-Ukraine relations, which had deteriorated to a low point following a dramatic confrontation between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their February meeting at the White House.
In announcing the agreement, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the establishment of the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund serves as a message to Russia, indicating that the Trump administration is “dedicated to a peace process focused on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine in the long run.”
“President Trump envisioned this partnership between the American and Ukrainian peoples as a demonstration of both sides’ commitment to enduring peace and prosperity in Ukraine,” Bessent remarked in a statement. The Trump administration did not disclose additional details about the agreement.
According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy, the US will contribute to the fund either directly or through military assistance, while Kyiv will provide 50 percent of the revenues generated from natural resource exploitation.
The ministry indicated that all resources from the fund will be exclusively invested in Ukraine for the first 10 years, after which “profits may be shared between the partners.”
The ministry also stated that the US and Ukraine will have equal decision-making authority over the fund, with the agreement applying only to future US military assistance, not previous aid.
“We are not only securing investment but also gaining a strategic partner dedicated to collaborating with us to foster economic growth and innovation,” stated Ukrainian Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko.
“This agreement is the result of thorough negotiations, and I am thankful to both negotiating teams for their professionalism and commitment. Together, we have crafted a mutually beneficial framework that also demonstrates the US’s dedication to enduring peace in Ukraine and acknowledges Ukraine’s role in global security.”
In a Telegram post just before the deal was finalized, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal emphasized that the agreement would ensure Kyiv retains “full control over subsoil, infrastructure, and natural resources,” without hindering its aspirations to join the European Union.
Ukraine and the US had intended to sign the agreement weeks earlier, but a heated confrontation between Trump and Zelenskyy in front of the global media on February 28 temporarily stalled negotiations.
Tymofiy Mylovanov, a former Ukrainian economy minister and head of the Kyiv School of Economics, characterized the deal as a significant political and diplomatic victory for both nations.
“It provides Trump with a domestic political advantage, which I believe will lead to a more favorable perspective on Ukraine,” Mylovanov stated on X.
“Ukraine stood firm. Despite immense pressure, all excessive demands from the other side were withdrawn. The final agreement appears to be fair.”
It remains uncertain whether Wednesday’s deal, which requires ratification by the Ukrainian parliament to become effective, includes any security guarantees for Ukraine.
Ukraine estimates that it possesses approximately 5 percent of the world’s reserves of critical minerals, which are essential for the production of consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and military equipment.
The country’s deposits contain reserves of 22 out of the 34 minerals identified as critical by the EU.
Source :Aljazera
This deal marks a strategic move by the U.S. to support Ukraine’s reconstruction while securing critical mineral resources, though the lack of transparency around the agreement’s terms may prompt scrutiny over its long-term implications for Ukrainian sovereignty and resource control
As it stands Ukraine now does not owe Americans
Actually they have over paid their “debt”
Hahaha so that guy Zelensky was just bluffing he finally signed this mineral deal
Yeah after all the hardcore moves he ended up signing
Zelenskyy shouldn’t have signed this deal due to the potential long-term implications for Ukraine’s sovereignty and economic independence. While the deal may offer immediate benefits, it risks entrenching foreign influence over vital resources, which could undermine Ukraine’s self-determination. Additionally, prioritizing domestic industries and sustainable development might be a more strategic approach to ensure long-term prosperity and resilience for the country.
This deal will only favour the US in the long run…Such a careless move by the Ukraine President
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About this mineral deal between US and Ukraine, i think Zelensky took a rushed decision because his has no other option, but agreeing to 50/50 deal was absolutely a senseless idea.