The United States and Ukraine have reached an agreement on a pivotal minerals deal, signaling a strengthened partnership amid ongoing tensions in the region. According to Reuters, the draft agreement is a key component of Kyiv's strategy to secure Washington's support as President Donald Trump seeks a swift resolution to the conflict with Russia.
The deal, while not outlining specific US security guarantees or the continuation of weapons supplies, emphasizes the United States' commitment to ensuring that Ukraine remains \"free, sovereign and secure.\" Discussions regarding future weapons shipments between Washington and Kyiv are still underway, as reported by sources familiar with the negotiations.
President Trump announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to visit Washington on Friday to sign the agreement, following a week of tense exchanges between the two leaders. Trump has framed the minerals deal as a repayment for billions in aid provided to Kyiv and has suggested the potential deployment of peacekeeping troops in Ukraine as part of the agreement. However, Moscow has dismissed the idea of NATO forces being stationed in Ukraine.
Some European nations have expressed willingness to contribute peacekeeping forces, a proposal Trump claims Moscow would accept, despite Kremlin denials. Trump's expedited efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict have raised concerns about significant US concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin, potentially impacting security dynamics in Ukraine and across Europe.
Officials from both countries have endorsed the draft agreement, advocating for its ratification. The deal is expected to unlock Ukraine's extensive mineral resources for the United States, fostering economic ties between the two nations.
Under the agreement, the US and Ukraine will establish a Reconstruction Investment Fund aimed at collecting and reinvesting revenue from Ukraine's mineral, hydrocarbon, and other extractable resources. Ukraine will contribute 50% of the revenue, after operating expenses, until the contributions reach $500 billion. In return, the United States commits to supporting the development of a stable and economically prosperous Ukraine.
Scott Anderson, a governance studies fellow at the Brookings Institution, described the minerals deal as \"a kind of piracy\" but acknowledged its necessity for garnering support from Trump and Republican lawmakers.
Ukraine boasts deposits of 22 of the 34 minerals identified by the European Union as critical, including graphite, which accounts for 20% of global resources and is essential for electric vehicle batteries and nuclear reactors.
Reference(s):
U.S., Ukraine agree on terms of critical minerals deal: Reuters
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