Washington: The United States and Ukraine have reached an agreement on a draft minerals deal, a crucial element in Kyiv’s strategy to maintain US backing as President Donald Trump seeks a rapid resolution to the ongoing conflict with Russia, sources familiar with the matter confirmed on Tuesday.
The draft agreement reportedly does not include direct US security assurances or a commitment to ongoing arms supplies but reaffirms Washington’s desire for Ukraine to remain “free, sovereign, and secure.” While weapons deliveries remain a topic of discussion, the deal primarily focuses on economic cooperation.
Trump announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to visit Washington on Friday to sign what he called a “very big deal.” This comes despite recent tensions between the two leaders, with Trump previously criticizing Zelensky and the Ukrainian president pushing back against what he described as misinformation.
A Strategic Exchange of Resources
The deal is set to grant the US access to Ukraine’s vast mineral reserves, which are essential for industries like electric vehicles, defense, and energy. Trump has framed the agreement as a way to ensure American taxpayers “get their money back” from the billions in aid provided to Ukraine.
Initially, Zelensky had rejected an earlier version of the deal, which proposed US access to $500 billion worth of Ukrainian resources. Kyiv had protested that the amount far exceeded the aid received from Washington and lacked the security commitments Ukraine sought.
Under the current agreement, a Reconstruction Investment Fund will be established to collect and reinvest revenues from Ukraine’s mineral and energy resources. Ukraine will contribute 50% of its revenue—after deducting operational costs—until it reaches the $500 billion threshold. In exchange, the US has pledged long-term financial support to Ukraine’s economic recovery and stability.
Concerns Over Geopolitical Shifts
Trump has also suggested the need for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine if a ceasefire is reached. However, Moscow has outright rejected any NATO presence in the region, despite Trump’s claim that Russia might accept non-US peacekeepers. Some European nations have expressed willingness to deploy forces, but the Kremlin has dismissed such proposals.
The negotiations have alarmed European allies, who fear the US may prioritize economic interests over security guarantees for Ukraine. Many worry that a swift resolution favoring Russia could weaken Ukraine’s position and shift the geopolitical balance in Moscow’s favor.
Ukraine, known for its vast deposits of 22 of the 34 critical minerals identified by the European Union, holds significant reserves of graphite—crucial for electric vehicle batteries and nuclear reactors. With 20% of the world’s graphite resources, Ukraine’s mineral wealth is a key bargaining chip in these negotiations.
As the two nations prepare to finalize the deal, European leaders remain on edge, closely monitoring how the US-Ukraine partnership evolves and what it could mean for the broader security landscape in Eastern Europe.
