Ukraine to begin talks on ratifying US minerals deal tomorrow – PM
Photo: Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Starting tomorrow, May 1, Ukraine’s parliament will begin consultations on the ratification of the minerals deal with the United States, said Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
"This document has the status of an international agreement, prepared according to specific rules and international law. It has the force of law and must be ratified by parliament," Shmyhal stated.
According to him, consultations on the ratification of the agreement will begin tomorrow in the Verkhovna Rada.
"Tomorrow, we are going to hold consultations with the heads of groups and factions, with the leadership of our parliament on the details of this agreement. We’ve already made preliminary arrangements to brief them on the details of the agreement. Once ratified by parliament, the deal will take effect and we can move forward," the Prime Minister explained.
Shmyhal also noted that, due to the specifics of US legislation, the agreement could be ratified not only through a vote in Congress.
"The United States has different legislation, so at this stage, verification by the US government will be enough," he said.
Ukraine–US agreement
In March, the United States submitted a revised draft of the minerals deal to Ukraine. Since then, both sides have held several technical online meetings to discuss the terms of cooperation.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the new agreement with the United States is now "stronger" and "more equal."
RBC-Ukraine's sources report that Ukraine and the United States could sign the minerals deal as early 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 US will be signed within the next 24 hours.
Shmyhal also revealed key details of the upcoming agreement with the US.
