US and Ukraine encounter final obstacles before signing minerals deal - FT
Photo: Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Economy of Ukraine (Vitaliy Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The signing of the framework agreement on the use of resources between Ukraine and the United States may be at risk of falling through, according to the Financial Times.
As the media outlet writes, when the plane with Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko was already on its way to the US, representatives of US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent told her that she needed to be ready to sign all agreements or return home.
According to two Ukrainian officials, Washington wants to sign both the framework agreement and a separate, more detailed agreement on the investment fund that will manage the revenues from mineral extraction.
Another FT source, familiar with the US position, stated that the negotiations on the agreement are not over because Ukraine allegedly tried to revise the terms of the document agreed upon over the weekend.
However, Ukrainian sources explained to the outlet that the US information is inaccurate, and Kyiv cannot sign both documents on Wednesday, as the agreement on the fund must be ratified by the Verkhovna Rada before it can be signed.
Agreement on minerals
In February 2025, Kyiv and Washington planned to sign a framework agreement on cooperation in the field of rare earth resources, but this process was delayed due to a conflict between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump during the Ukrainian leader’s visit to Washington at the end of March. After the incident, the US sent Ukraine an updated draft agreement regarding mineral extraction.
Subsequently, the parties held several technical online meetings to discuss the terms of cooperation. In early April, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced that Kyiv had already determined its position on the agreement and was preparing a delegation for negotiations in Washington.
Recently, President Volodymyr Zelensky shared that the new agreement with the US had become "stronger" and "more equal."
According to our sources, Ukraine and the US may sign the minerals deal as early as today, April 30. First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko is currently in Washington.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal mentioned that the signing of the minerals deal between Ukraine and the US is expected in the near future, after which Ukraine will take the first step towards implementing this project.
