Ukraine is prepared to sign a minerals resource deal with the U.S., a move that could significantly improve Kyiv-Moscow peace talks involving the Trump administration.
According to various reports, Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko is in Washington to finalize the resource deal with U.S. negotiators. The pact, which has been in development for months, would reportedly create a joint fund to manage Ukraine’s investments in its natural resources.
The White House has not confirmed if the U.S. is ready to sign. The deal will also require approval from the Ukrainian Parliament before it is completed.
The joint fund would give U.S. investors special access to development projects focused on Ukrainian natural resources such as aluminum, natural gas, oil and graphite. The agreement also reportedly recognizes Ukraine’s aim to become a member of the European Union and is designed to be compatible.
The deal requires Kyiv to create improved conditions for U.S. investment in Ukraine’s mining, energy and technology.
According to reports, the pact seeks to strengthen the relationship between Washington and Kyiv and affirms America’s commitment to the reconstruction and modernization of Ukraine upon war’s end.
In another sign of good faith, Washington has agreed that only military aid provided after the deal is signed will count toward the joint fund. The U.S. previously insisted that billions of dollars of military assistance for Ukraine during the war should be included.
News of a nearly finalized deal on Ukraine’s natural resources comes after Washington and Kyiv signed a memorandum of intent this month as negotiations for peace in the region continued.
The first attempt to sign a natural resource deal stalled this year following the Oval Office clash among President Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding a future peace agreement.
Mr. Trump also met with Mr. Zelenskyy last week in Italy while the presidents attended Pope Francis’ funeral.
Mr. Trump grows increasingly frustrated with the pace of peace negotiations and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions. Mr. Trump lashed out at Mr. Putin this month on social media after Russia bombed Kyiv. Mr. Trump questioned whether Mr. Putin was truly interested in a peace deal and said he may be stringing the U.S. along.
Moscow launched a series of attacks along the Ukraine-Russia front line Tuesday night. Ukrainian generals reported 177 clashes with troops and confirmed several large-scale Russian drone attacks on cities in Ukraine.
Despite the attacks, the White House on Tuesday said it’s confident that U.S. negotiators can secure a peace deal.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Mr. Trump “remains optimistic that we can get this done.”
