PM Shmyhal: Minerals deal will provide Ukraine with American air defense systems
Photo: Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The agreement with the US on natural resources will help protect Ukraine now and establish a long-term partnership with the world’s largest economy in the future, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated this during a Cabinet meeting.
"For Ukraine, it is important not just to end this war, but to achieve a just peace that will follow. This means large-scale recovery based on the principle of ‘better than it was.’ It also means EU membership," said Shmyhal.
He also noted that signing the agreement is the best guarantee of Ukraine’s security, as it is signed with a country that has a strong economy.
According to him, it is now crucial to continue legal and diplomatic work and sign technical agreements that will provide concrete tools for implementing the partnership with the US.
"But there’s something even more important: this agreement will allow us to better defend the country here and now. To better protect our skies, thanks to American air defense systems. To better protect our land, thanks to modern weaponry," the prime minister stated.
In his opinion, this agreement is a signal to the Kremlin regime that the US stands with Ukraine and is ready to support us.
Ukraine–US agreement on natural resources
In the early hours of May 1, Ukraine and the US signed a minerals deal, which outlines an economic partnership between the two countries. Under this agreement, the US will gain access to Ukrainian natural resources, while profits will be directed to a joint American-Ukrainian Reconstruction Investment Fund.
According to the text of the document, the agreement covers 57 types of minerals. It will remain in effect until both parties decide to terminate the cooperation.
The agreement now requires ratification by the Verkhovna Rada. According to RBC-Ukraine sources, the parliament plans to ratify the document next week — on May 8.
More about the Ukraine–US agreement and why it matters can be found in RBC-Ukraine’s material.
