The United States and Ukraine mark mineral agreement, Treasury announced
Ukrainian and U.S. officials have signed a joint economic investment agreement that includes granting the U.S. access to Ukrainian rare earth minerals.
The Treasury Ministry’s press release said the two countries agreed to establish the “US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund”, calling it an “economic partnership.” This statement does not include further details about the agreement.
Ukrainian Minister of Economic Development Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed that she signed the deal. In a series of X articles written by Ukrainians, she describes it as a 50/50 partnership between the United States and Ukraine, which includes the development of mineral, oil and gas projects. She said the deal will be funded through direct investment, future U.S. aid and new mineral licensing transaction revenue, and there is no Ukrainian debt obligation enacted.
According to Ukraine's fact sheet, the United States will contribute to the fund “through direct financial input or new military aid,” which “focuses on further, rather than past U.S. military aid.” Ukraine will contribute 50% (but not present) of any future royalties.
Under the agreement, Ukraine will have ownership of its natural resources and the fund can only invest in resource and infrastructure projects within Ukraine. The fact sheet also says the fund's profits will be reinvested in the Ukrainian economy in the first decade and can then be “distributed among partners”.
President Trump has Press Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy War with Russia. Ukraine is considered Hold about 5% The world's rare earth element reserves For electronic productsdefense technology and energy projects. Some of the country's reserves are located in parts of Ukraine occupied by Russia.
Zelenskyy originally traveled to Washington in February to sign a mineral agreement with Mr. Trump. Those plans are Derailed After an explosive Oval Office meeting between Trump, Mr. Zelenskyy and U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance. During the meeting, Vance accused Zelenskyy of being Not enough to be grateful For the United States' military aid.
negotiation continued Despite public disputes. Earlier Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said at a cabinet meeting that the United States was ready to sign a deal, but Ukraine called for “last-minute changes.”
Contributed to this report.