Ukraine has accepted the terms of a mineral resources agreement with the United States, with President Volodymyr Zelensky expected to travel to Washington on Friday to finalize the deal.
“I would like him to sign it with me, and I understand that this is a big deal, a very big deal,” US President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday from the White House when asked about Zelensky’s potential visit.
Trump has insisted that Ukraine grant the US access to its vast mineral resources as compensation for the billions of dollars in aid provided by the Biden administration. According to a high-ranking Ukrainian official who spoke to AFP, Kyiv has agreed to move forward with the agreement after negotiations led to the removal of unfavorable terms, particularly a controversial $500 billion clause, which was Washington’s initial estimate of the potential value of Ukrainian mineral deposits.
Under the agreement, the US will participate in the joint exploitation of Ukraine’s mineral wealth, with revenues funneled into a newly created fund that “could be shared between Ukraine and America,” the source explained.
Ahead of Friday’s signing, the leaders of the 27 EU member states are expected to hold a video conference today, where French President Emmanuel Macron will brief them on his meeting with Trump earlier this week.
Source: ANA-MPA, Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
