Janice R. Andrews
Washington – The United States and Ukraine are poised to finalize a draft minerals agreement that would direct a portion of Ukraine’s critical mineral revenue to the United States. The deal could be signed as early as Friday during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Washington visit.
President Donald Trump has advocated for this arrangement as part of his strategy to reshape US-Ukraine relations and reduce American financial support for Kyiv’s defense efforts. The agreement follows Trump’s insistence that Ukraine provide access to its valuable mineral resources in exchange for the substantial wartime aid provided during the previous administration.
Proposed Agreement Structure
The emerging deal would establish a Reconstruction Investment Fund benefiting both nations. According to Reuters sources, Ukraine would contribute 50% of its mineral and hydrocarbon revenue, with a $500 billion maximum contribution. The United States would provide long-term financial backing for Ukraine’s economic recovery.
While the agreement expresses support for “a free, sovereign, and secure Ukraine,” it notably excludes explicit American security guarantees or military aid commitments. Separate discussions regarding future arms supplies continue between the two governments.
Trump’s Perspective
When questioned about Ukraine’s benefits from this arrangement, Trump highlighted that American taxpayers had already provided over $350 billion in assistance and deserved returns on this investment. He also suggested the potential need for peacekeeping forces in Ukraine should a peace agreement with Russia materialize – a proposal Moscow has rejected.
Zelensky previously declined to sign an earlier version of the agreement that sought direct US rights to $500 billion in Ukrainian minerals. Ukrainian officials countered that American aid has been significantly less than this amount and pushed for stronger security assurances.
Ukraine’s Valuable Resource Holdings
The agreement would provide American access to Ukraine’s substantial mineral reserves, including:
- Titanium (6% of global production)
- Lithium (one-third of Europe’s reserves)
- Uranium (Europe’s largest reserves)
- Various rare earth metals
The final terms of this consequential agreement for global markets and Ukraine’s resource sovereignty are expected to be announced during Zelensky’s Friday visit to Washington.
