Kyiv and Washington agree on mineral resources deal
Kyiv and Washington have agreed on a deal concerning mineral resources, which Ukrainian officials hope will strengthen ties with the Trump administration and pave the way for a long-term security commitment from the U.S., reports digi24.ro, citing Financial Times.
The agreement establishes a fund to which Kyiv will contribute 50% of future revenues from the exploitation of state-owned mineral resources, including gas and oil. However, the deal does not include any explicit security guarantees from the U.S. To take effect, the agreement requires approval from the Ukrainian parliament.
Ukrainian officials say that Kyiv is now prepared to sign the agreement on the joint development of its mineral resources, including oil and gas, after the U.S. withdrew its demand for a $500 billion share of potential revenues from resource exploitation.
The officials stressed that they had negotiated much more favorable terms and described the agreement as a means to strengthen ties with the U.S. to bolster Ukraine’s prospects after three years of war.
The excessively harsh conditions of the initial proposal—which President Donald Trump framed as a way for Ukraine to reimburse the U.S. for military and financial assistance provided since Russia’s large-scale invasion in 2022—triggered outrage in Kyiv and other European capitals.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
