On April 30, 2025, Ukraine announced its readiness to finalize a significant minerals agreement with the United States, aiming to bolster bilateral relations and secure continued American support amid ongoing conflict with Russia. First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko traveled to the U.S. to sign the deal, which is central to Kyiv’s efforts to mend ties with President Donald Trump. However, a last-minute complication arose as Washington pushed for the inclusion of two additional documents alongside the main agreement, which Kyiv felt were not yet ready.
The draft agreement, reviewed by Reuters, ensures that Ukraine will not be required to reimburse past U.S. military aid. It grants the U.S. preferential access to future Ukrainian natural resource projects without conferring direct control over Ukraine’s mineral wealth or gas infrastructure. A joint U.S.-Ukrainian reconstruction fund is to be established, receiving 50% of profits and royalties from new mineral permits, with investments aimed at Ukraine’s recovery over a 10-year span.
Despite the deal’s potential benefits, residents in Ukraine’s mining regions have expressed concerns about possible exploitation. They emphasize that the nation’s valuable resources belong to the people and urge for equitable agreements that safeguard national interests. Ukrainian officials, including Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, have confirmed that any deal would exclude retroactive payment for past U.S. aid and align with Ukraine’s legal and European commitments.
Source: Reuters
