Ukraine ratifies deal with US: Zelenskyy signs bill into law
Photo: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (president.gov.ua)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed the law ratifying the agreement between the governments of Ukraine and the United States on rare earth metals, according to the website of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Ukrainian Parliament - ed.).
The document was approved by the Verkhovna Rada during a session on Thursday, May 8, with 338 MPs voting in favor.
What is known about the minerals deal with the US
On the night of April 30 to May 1, Ukraine and the United States signed an agreement on the Creation of the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund with equal participation from both sides. The document was signed by Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Yuliia Svyrydenko, and US Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent. The agreement followed lengthy negotiations and even sparked some disputes, but as the Ukrainian government emphasized, Kyiv succeeded in securing favorable terms.
Earlier, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal outlined the key principles of the agreement:
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The fund will be created on a parity basis, with 50/50 participation and equal voting rights.
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Ukraine will retain full control over its mineral resources, infrastructure, and natural assets.
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The agreement includes no debt obligations - this is strictly about investment, not loans.
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The fund will invest in projects and ensure commercial procurement under a take-or-pay principle.
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The agreement does not hinder Ukraine’s future accession to the European Union.
More details on the content of the agreement can be found in the material by RBC-Ukraine.
