A long-awaited minerals deal between Ukraine and the United States faced a last-minute obstacle just before its planned signing on Wednesday.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko had traveled to Washington for the ceremony, but the U.S. government introduced a new demand requiring Kyiv not only to sign the main economic agreement but also two additional technical side-deals.
According to a senior official familiar with the discussions, Ukraine’s attempts to reopen previously settled terms were causing disruptions to the signing process.
Negotiations over this vital agreement, which would allow the U.S. to tap into Ukraine’s abundant natural resources including critical minerals essential for modern technology, have been ongoing for several months.
In December, U.S. President Donald Trump characterized the deal as a method of reimbursing America for the billions in aid provided to Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Amid ongoing discussions, the Trump administration had urged Ukraine to finalize and sign all three related documents.
“President Trump has said that the time to get this done is now, and we are moving with all deliberate speed toward this end,” a Treasury spokesperson remarked, emphasizing the imperative nature of the agreement for both nations.
Despite having come to an understanding on the final technical documents over the weekend, reports indicated that Ukraine revisited sticking points regarding governance of the fund, transparency measures, and assicurations for fund traceability.
One individual involved in the conversations accused Ukraine of trying to renegotiate terms that had already been agreed upon, suggesting that this could jeopardize the planned signing.
The U.S. administration had advised Svyrydenko not to proceed to Washington unless the agreements were finalized, raising tensions around the signing.
Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak indicated that the terms of the agreement had improved for Ukraine, noting that the country would not be required to pay back prior aid as debt.
Moreover, he mentioned that the U.S. will contribute to a reconstruction fund, highlighting a proactive approach by the U.S. in supporting Ukraine’s recovery and construction efforts.
“The agreement will be for a fixed term with the right of both parties to make changes in the future,” Zheleznyak added, although he cautioned that final terms had yet to be established.
If negotiations proceed successfully, the signing of the deal could occur on Wednesday, followed by a necessary ratification process within the Ukrainian parliament to align domestic legislation with the new agreement.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal appeared optimistic, stating that the deal was expected to be signed in the next 24 hours on national television.
“Yes, we were planning to sign the deal today,” a senior official confirmed, noting that the U.S. would also contribute to the reconstruction fund.
For instance, military assistance such as air defense systems could be interpreted as contributions to this fund, integrating support mechanisms into the framework of the agreement.
In a historical context, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously rejected two draft agreements proposed by the Trump administration, asserting they contained excessively harsh terms that could burden future generations.
“I will not sign what 10 generations of Ukrainians will have to pay back,” Zelenskyy declared in February as tensions escalated in the negotiations.
The fallout from an intense Oval Office meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy in February led to a significant derailment of talks that were initially set to culminate in a deal.
As the situation unfolds, both nations remain poised to address the final issues at hand, with significant implications for Ukraine’s economic future and U.S.-Ukrainian relations.
image source from：https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-us-agree-new-minerals-deal/
