ALBAWABA- The United States and Ukraine have signed a long-awaited agreement on rare earth minerals, marking what the Trump administration called a new chapter of U.S. support to Kyiv following the end of direct military aid.
After two months of negotiations, the deal grants Ukraine full sovereignty over its mineral resources, crucial for modern technologies and largely untapped, while establishing a framework for long-term U.S. investment.
The agreement comes after initial U.S. demands under President Donald Trump that Ukraine offer mineral rights in exchange for past military support provided during the Biden administration, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Ukraine, while initially hesitant, accepted the minerals deal to ensure future economic cooperation amid growing uncertainty over American security commitments.
At a signing event in Washington, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called the agreement a "clear signal to Russia" that the United States remains committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty, peace, and prosperity.
“No entity or individual that supported Russia’s war effort will profit from rebuilding Ukraine,” Bessent declared, in a rare break from the Trump administration’s usual framing of the war as a “conflict” with shared blame.
In Kyiv, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal welcomed the accord, calling it “good, equal, and beneficial.” He emphasized that Ukraine will retain full control over its subsoil, infrastructure, and natural resources.
He also confirmed that Ukraine will not be asked to repay past U.S. military assistance, addressing one of Kyiv’s key concerns.
As part of the deal, the two countries will jointly establish a Reconstruction Investment Fund, with equal voting rights.
Despite official optimism, the agreement drew criticism from Moscow. Russia’s Deputy Security Council Chairman reportedly told Reuters that the deal amounted to Trump forcing Ukraine to "pay for the aid" it had already received.
