MOSCOW, May 1 – Under a newly signed economic partnership agreement, the United States will gain access to Ukraine’s valuable mineral resources. In return, Washington will establish an investment fund to support Ukraine’s recovery and development. The deal reflects months of tense negotiations and marks a strategic shift in U.S-Ukraine relations, offering economic benefits to both sides while reinforcing their long-term cooperation.
A Shift Toward Economic Collaboration Amid War
After months of tense and often turbulent negotiations, the new agreement between the US and Ukraine marks a significant pivot toward economic cooperation, even as the conflict in Eastern Europe persists. The deal has been under discussion since President Donald Trump’s return to office in January, and while earlier versions of the agreement heavily favored the US, the final draft is described as more balanced.
Rather than seeking repayment for past military support, the United States will now consider future military assistance as a direct investment into a joint economic fund designed to support Ukraine’s reconstruction and development. This change of terms was a key turning point in the negotiation process. Officials close to the matter say this update was necessary to restore momentum after aid was briefly suspended by the US administration during a previous impasse.
President Trump, in a recent call with NewsNation, framed the deal as a measure to protect the United State’s considerable involvement in Ukraine. He emphasized the value of the agreement, even overstating past aid figures by claiming the US had given $350 billion to Ukraine since 2022. In truth, the actual figure, according to Kiel Institute for the World Economy, is closer to $120 billion.
Still, Trump justified the partnership by stating that the arrangement ensures the US receives “much more in theory” than its financial contribution, calling the decision a strategic move to avoid looking “foolish” on the international stage.
Resource Ownership and Terms of Agreement
A major point of clarity from Ukrainian officials is that, under the agreement, Ukraine retains complete sovereignty over its natural resources. Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, who traveled to Washington to finalize the deal, underscored that all mineral deposits on Ukrainian land and in its waters remain the exclusive property of Ukraine.
“The Ukrainian state has full rights to determine where, when, and how to extract resources,” Svyrydenko said. “Nothing in this agreement compromises our control over our territory or subsoil.”
The joint investment fund, as outlined by Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, will receive equal contributions from both countries. It’s structured to give both sides equal decision-making power. Shmyhal further clarified that no military or financial support provided before the signing of this deal will be counted as part of the investment, addressing fears that Ukraine would be retroactively charged for past aid.
Although the detailed text of the agreement hasn’t been made public, Ukrainian leadership has characterized it as a fair, mutual investment pact designed to drive the nation’s economic recovery and future prosperity.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking after the signing, expressed strong support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and its fight against Russian aggression. His tone signaled a notable shift from earlier, more cautious language coming from Washington, with Bessent declaring the agreement as “historic” and a message to Moscow that the US stands behind a “free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine.”
The Treasury’s statement also made it clear that any individual or entity found to have supported Russia’s war effort would be barred from participating in the reconstruction and economic benefits linked to this partnership.
Despite the encouraging rhetoric, it remains unclear when tangible progress, such as the development of new mining projects, will begin. With active conflict continuing, the rollout of these initiatives may face logistical and security hurdles.
From Breakdown to Breakthrough
Negotiations had been rocky from the start. In February, during President Zelensky’s visit to Washington, the deal was expected to be signed but was delayed due to a contentious Oval Office meeting. A major disagreement centered around whether the US would include security guarantees as part of the deal. Trump refused, saying that those discussions could only happen after Ukraine signed the agreement.
Zelensky, at that point, voiced strong reservations, likening the deal to being asked to “sell” Ukraine. Over time, however, Ukrainian officials came to view American investment and business presence in the country as an informal assurance that the US would remain invested—both economically and strategically—in Ukraine’s future.
After that February meeting, Trump temporarily halted military assistance to Ukraine. Though the aid was later reinstated, the brief pause sent shockwaves through Europe, prompting NATO allies to ramp up their own support for Kyiv.
In more recent interviews, including one with Fox News, Secretary Bessent stated that the economic deal will allow Americans to directly benefit from their country’s investments into Ukraine—either through business opportunities or material compensation. The fund’s design is such that future military aid packages can be tallied as contributions to the shared investment, giving Washington a stake in the postwar recovery.
Watch the full video here on Fox News.
Ukraine’s Critical Minerals: A Strategic Asset
Under a newly signed economic partnership agreement, the United States will gain access to Ukraine’s valuable mineral resources. In return, Washington will establish an investment fund to support Ukraine’s recovery and development. The deal reflects months of tense negotiations and marks a strategic shift in U.S-Ukraine relations, offering economic benefits to both sides while reinforcing their long-term cooperation.
For years, Western governments have sought to reduce reliance on China, which dominates global rare earth mineral production. Ukraine has emerged as a potential alternative—offering not only a rich resource base but also the geopolitical alignment Western nations are looking for.
Under the Biden administration, a preliminary memorandum had been crafted to promote American investments in Ukraine’s mining sector. It encouraged Ukraine to offer economic incentives and enforce environmental protections to attract responsible development.
The final version of the agreement signed this week is believed to reflect some of those principles. While the exact clauses remain undisclosed, officials on both sides describe it as a modern, equitable pact that aligns economic ambition with long-term strategic goals.
The hope now is that this agreement becomes a cornerstone of Ukraine’s postwar recovery while reinforcing Western efforts to secure critical resources independent of adversarial nations.