Ukraine is ready to sign mineral agreement with the USA

Ukraine will be able to formalize on Wednesday, 30, an agreement with the United States aimed at the development of mineral resources. The information was confirmed by a source of the Ukrainian government to the Reuters agency, on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of negotiations.

According to the source, the first vice-minister of Ukraine, Yulia Svyrydenko, is traveling to the United States to establish the document. “I think maybe at the end of the night, Kiev time, the agreement can be signed,” the authority said.

The measure continues a memorandum signed by representatives from both countries on April 18, considered an initial step towards the pact. The preliminary document set a goal for the conclusion of the negotiations until April 26, with the intention of signing in a short time.

The expectation of the Ukrainian government is that the advancement in the dealings with Washington reinforces the support of the United States to Ukraine, which has faced a large -scale military offensive for over three years. Since the beginning of the invasion, Kiev has received direct military support from Washington, including air defense systems and long -range weapons.

In February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that approximately 30% of Ukraine used military equipment in the defense of the territory came from the United States.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said this week that military aid previously granted by the United States will not be accounted for as part of the new mineral agreement.

The statement was made after meetings held during his visit to Washington, where Shmyhal met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. According to him, there was “good progress” in the discussions.

Shmyhal also stated that the Ukrainian government has established clear limits regarding the compliance with the agreement with the European Union rules and the internal legislation of Ukraine. The country maintains regulatory commitments to the European bloc, which condition bilateral negotiations to transparency and legal compliance criteria.

The signing of the agreement occurs amid statements by the Trump administration that it may interrupt the ongoing efforts to achieve a negotiated conflict resolution if there is no concrete advances in the coming weeks.

American authorities have been expressing the intention to condition part of political and financial support to the fulfillment of specific goals by the Ukrainian government.

The war between Ukraine and Russia began in February 2022, with the entry of Russian troops into Ukrainian territory.

Since then, the United States has become Ukraine’s main external ally, providing armament, financial support and logistical support. The alliance, however, began to include conditions and new guidelines with the change of strategic guidance of the Trump administration during the second term.

The proposal of a mineral agreement is inserted in this context of redefinition of the bilateral relationship. Understanding provides investments in the extraction and marketing sector of strategic minerals, focusing on rare metals and essential resources for high -tech production chains. Ukraine holds significant reserves of graffiti, titanium, lithium and other critical materials.

Access to these reserves is considered strategic for both US interests and Ukraine’s objectives to strengthen its economy during conflict.

At the same time, negotiation is also being accompanied by European institutions, who monitor Kiev’s commitments in the process of approaching the European Union.

The formalization of the agreement may represent a new axis in the economic partnership between the two countries, adding a commercial dimension to the essentially military support provided by the United States since 2022. The Ukrainian government has defended the diversification of forms of cooperation as a way to reduce emergency aid and expand economic stability.

To date, the specific details of the content of the agreement have not been officially disclosed. American and Ukrainian authorities maintain the confidentiality of negotiation clauses, on the argument of protection of the negotiations and final technical alignment between the parties.

The signing of the agreement should take place in US territory, with the presence of representatives of both governments. Yulia Svyrydenko, who leads the economy and commerce folders, was designated as head of the Ukrainian delegation.

The outcome of the negotiation will be closely monitored by international economic analysts and observers, who consider the result as an indicative of the US government’s degree of commitment to the continuity of Ukraine support in the war scenario. It will also be an indication of the Ukrainian government’s willingness to integrate its strategic assets with bilateral agreements during the armed conflict.

The signing forecast on Wednesday marks another stage in the relationship between Washington and Kiev, now expanded beyond the military field and entering the sphere of economic and infrastructure cooperation.

With information from SCMP