U.S. and Ukraine Set to Sign Joint Minerals Investment Deal
- The New York Editorial Desk - Arif
- Apr 30
- 2 min read
The Big Picture
The United States and Ukraine are preparing to sign a major investment agreement focused on Ukraine’s minerals and natural resources. The deal will establish a 50-50 fund between the two nations, intended to support Ukraine’s economic recovery and development while also ensuring long-term U.S. involvement in the country’s critical resource sector.
Driving the News
Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko is traveling to Washington, D.C., to finalize and sign the agreement with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The deal is expected to unlock new financial and military support from the U.S. to Ukraine, as well as attract American investment into Ukraine’s untapped reserves of rare earth metals.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal described the deal as a “very good partnership” that brings “huge benefits and investments” for Ukraine and secures additional U.S. military assistance.
Key Details
Deal Structure: The fund will be evenly split between the U.S. and Ukraine.
Resource Focus: Rare earth metals, essential for modern technologies like batteries, will be a priority.
Security Benefits: A U.S. presence at extraction sites is expected to deter hostile actors.
Military Assistance: New military aid from the U.S. can be counted as contributions to the fund.
Legislative Step: Ukraine’s parliament must still approve the agreement after it is signed.
Political Background
The road to this agreement was not without obstacles. In February, the Trump administration proposed a version of the deal that would have allowed the U.S. to reclaim prior aid to Ukraine through profits generated from the minerals fund. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected that offer, leading to public criticism from President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.
That version of the deal stalled, but progress resumed following a face-to-face conversation between Trump and Zelenskyy during Pope Francis' funeral in Rome last weekend. Both sides later described the encounter as productive.
What They’re Saying
Prime Minister Shmyhal: "This is a very good partnership agreement... and provides for the possibility of receiving military assistance from the United States."
President Trump: “We made a deal where our money is secure… It’s also good for them because you’ll have an American presence at the site.”
Treasury Secretary Bessent: “Our side is ready to sign.”
What’s Next
The agreement’s formal signing will take place in Washington this week. After that, Ukraine’s parliament will need to vote to approve the deal before it goes into effect. If passed, it could mark a new chapter in Ukraine-U.S. cooperation during the ongoing conflict and reconstruction phase.
Bottom Line
The deal is being positioned as a win-win arrangement—providing Ukraine with economic and defense support, while allowing the U.S. strategic access to rare minerals crucial for future technologies. However, the process reflects broader political dynamics, including hard negotiations and high-level personal diplomacy.
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