Ukraine has reportedly reached an agreement with the United States regarding its mineral resources, according to The Financial Times. Ukrainian officials state that Kyiv is now ready to sign a deal for the joint development of its mineral resources, including oil and natural gas after the U.S. withdrew its demand for rights to $500 billion in potential revenues from resource exploitation.
Ukrainian officials also hope the agreement will strengthen relations with the Trump administration and pave the way for a long-term U.S. commitment to the country’s security.
Although the text of the agreement lacks explicit security guarantees, officials argued that they secured significantly more favorable terms and presented the deal as a means to deepen Ukraine’s relationship with the U.S., supporting the country’s future prospects after three years of war.
“The minerals agreement is just one part of the picture. We have heard many times from the U.S. government that it is part of a broader strategy,” Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice, who led the negotiations, told The Financial Times on Tuesday.
Yesterday, February 24, on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron met at the White House, highlighting their differing approaches to the war. The meeting underscored a widening gap between the U.S. and Europe, as Trump pushed for a swift ceasefire deal with Russia.
