US military aid excluded from debt calculation in minerals deal with Ukraine
Photo: Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal (Getty Images)
Ukraine and the US have agreed that assistance previously provided by America will not be counted toward the minerals deal. Specifically, US President Donald Trump had previously insisted that Kyiv return the funds, reports Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal.
"I had an important meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, during which the agreement between our countries was discussed. Legal teams are working on the document," Shmyhal wrote.
He informed that legal teams are working on the document, and there has been good progress. Specific red lines have been clearly defined.
"The main thing is that we have clearly defined our red lines. The agreement must comply with European obligations and not contradict Ukraine's Constitution and laws. It must also be ratified by the Parliament," the statement reads.
Shmyhal also added that the parties have reached an important agreement: Ukraine will not be required to repay funds for military aid provided by the US.
"An agreement has been reached that assistance provided before the agreement's signing will not be counted," the Prime Minister concluded.
Why compensation for aid is a key point in the deal
In February, US President Donald Trump stated that Washington had allocated more than $300 billion to Kyiv since the start of the full-scale war. He later repeatedly insisted that this money should be returned. Specifically, this point was included in the agreement on natural resources and was one of the key issues around which disputes arose.
Moreover, no assistance of $300 billion was ever provided. On February 19, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the total cost of weapons used during the full-scale war amounted to $320 billion. Of this, Ukraine provided $120 billion, and the remaining $200 billion was jointly provided by the US and the EU.
Zelenskyy also clarified that the United States specifically provided $67 billion in military assistance and $31.5 billion in financial aid.
Additionally, last month, the President stated that Ukraine would not recognize US military aid as a debt.
