US secures access to Ukraine's minerals in historic economic deal
The deal, signed after months of intense negotiations, establishes a joint investment fund aimed at supporting Ukraine's reconstruction while bolstering US access to critical materials like titanium, uranium, and rare earth minerals.
The agreement, described as 'historic' by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, allows American investors first rights to new projects involving Ukraine's natural resources, including aluminum, graphite, oil, and gas.
In exchange, the US will contribute to a reconstruction fund, with future military aid potentially counted as part of its investment.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko emphasized that Ukraine retains full control over its resources, with the deal designed to attract global investment for post-war recovery.
'This agreement signals to Russia that the Trump administration is committed to a free and prosperous Ukraine,' Bessent said, highlighting the deal's geopolitical weight amid ongoing efforts to broker peace in Ukraine's conflict with Russia.
Ukraine's mineral deposits, part of the geologically rich Ukrainian Shield, include 22 of the 50 materials deemed critical by the US Geological Survey, vital for aerospace, electronics, and clean energy technologies. The deal aims to reduce US reliance on Chinese-dominated mineral markets while supporting Ukraine's economic resilience.
Despite the optimism, some Ukrainian opposition leaders have raised concerns about the terms, calling for transparency to ensure the agreement aligns with national interests. Russian official Dmitry Medvedev criticized the deal, claiming it forces Ukraine to 'pay for American aid.'
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