Ukraine made last-minute changes to minerals deal – Bessent
Photo: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (Getty Images)
The US is ready to sign a minerals deal with Ukraine as early as today. However, everything depends on the Ukrainian side, stated US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
When asked by a journalist about the signing of the minerals deal with Ukraine, Bessent assured that there are no obstacles on the American side to finalize the deal. However, he noted that it was the Ukrainians who requested last-minute changes to the document
"Our side is ready to sign. The Ukrainians decided last night to make some last-minute changes. We're sure that they will reconsider that and we are ready to sign this afternoon if they are," Bessent said.
When asked what the changes specifically concerned, the Secretary declined to go into detail. However, he clarified that the US did not remove or add anything to the agreement.
"It is the same agreement that we agreed to on the weekend. No changes on our side," he added.
Minerals deal
Ukraine and the United States began discussions on a minerals deal back in February. Since then, both sides have been working on terms that would suit both Kyiv and Washington.
In March, the US submitted a new draft of the agreement to Ukraine. The parties have held several technical online meetings to discuss the terms of cooperation.
In early April, Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Kyiv had already finalized its position on the agreement and was preparing a delegation for negotiations in Washington.
According to RBC-Ukraine's sources, Ukraine and the US could sign the minerals deal as soon as today, April 30. First Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko is currently in Washington.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed that the minerals deal between Ukraine and the United States will be signed within the next 24 hours.
However, the Financial Times reported today that the signing of the framework agreement on resource development between Ukraine and the US may be at risk of falling through.
According to the FT, Washington wants to sign both the framework agreement and a separate, more detailed agreement on an investment fund that would manage revenues from mineral extraction. However, Kyiv cannot sign both documents on Wednesday, as the fund agreement must first be ratified by the Ukrainian parliament.
