Ukraine ready to sign minerals deal with US, PM says
Photo: Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine is ready to sign a framework agreement with the US on mining in Ukraine. Kyiv is waiting for signals through diplomatic channels about Washington's readiness, according to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
“The messages from the United States that they are ready to sign this agreement and on our part. The message is clear: we are ready to sign this first agreement on establishing a joint investment fund,” he said.
Shmyhal reminded that the government has approved this agreement, and it is a common position of the president, government, and parliament that this agreement should be signed.
“We are ready to communicate, to talk, ready to come and sign. We are now waiting for feedback. We have publicly received this feedback, these positive signals, and we are waiting for specific agreements at the diplomatic level,” Shmyhal said.
Agreement with the United States
The Ukrainian government has approved the text of a framework agreement on setting up a joint investment fund to which revenues from Ukraine's natural resources will be transferred. The Cabinet of Ministers authorized the First Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko, or Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha to sign the agreement.
The agreement was to be signed during President Zelenskyy's visit to the United States on February 28. However, his meeting with US President Donald Trump ended in a scandal, after which Zelenskyy left the White House without a signed agreement.
US National Security Advisor Mike Volz said that Trump is open to resuming talks on natural resources with Zelenskyy if the Ukrainian president changes his position.
