U.S.-Ukraine mineral partnership: Paving the road to recovery

• The USA and Ukraine signed a letter of intent online on Thursday regarding a minerals agreement.
• What does the memorandum include? The memorandum lays the foundation for an Economic Partnership Agreement and the creation of an Investment Fund for Ukraine's Reconstruction.
• What are the expectations for the fund? The fund aims to attract investments, support Ukraine's reconstruction, modernize infrastructure, and create new economic opportunities.

Yulia Svyrydenko, the Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister, announced that a letter of intent was signed with the USA regarding the exploitation of Ukrainian mineral deposits. "We are happy to announce the signing, with our American partners, of a Memorandum of Intent, which paves the way for an Economic Partnership Agreement and the establishment of the Investment Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukraine," wrote Svyrydenko on platform X.

The details of the memorandum have not yet been disclosed, as work continues on the final text of the agreement.

Svyrydenko emphasized that the fund is expected to be an effective tool in attracting investments that will support Ukraine's reconstruction, infrastructure modernization, and business development. She also expressed hope that the final document will be beneficial for both parties.

The AFP agency notes that the agreement was planned several weeks ago but was delayed by a turbulent meeting in February between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump believes that access to Ukraine's rare earth metal deposits should be a form of payment for the aid provided to Ukraine.

Moreover, Americans believe that the presence of U.S. companies in Ukraine will act as a further deterrent to Russia from further aggression following any potential ceasefire agreement.

Kyiv, on the other hand, insists that any future agreement ending the war must also include concrete security guarantees for Ukraine.