BREAKING NEWS: Ukraine Signs Deal to Give US Access to Rare Minerals with Trump Administration ‘Committed to a Peace Process’
The deal will give the US access to Ukraine's rare minerals in exchange for continued support in its war with Russia
By Louis Casiano & Jacqui Heinrich
May 2, 2025
Ukraine has signed a deal with the United States, giving the U.S. access to Ukraine's rare minerals as it continues to work with the Trump administration in an effort to end its three-year war with Russia.
Ukrainian Economy Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko flew to Washington, D.C., Wednesday to help finalize the deal.
"On behalf of the Government of Ukraine, I signed the Agreement on the Establishment of a United States–Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund. Together with the United States, we are creating the Fund that will attract global investment into our country," she wrote on X.
Upon taking office, President Donald Trump said he wanted Ukraine’s rare earth materials as a condition for continued U.S. support in the war. He described it as reimbursement for the billions of dollars of U.S. military assistance given to Ukraine.
Discussions about a possible deal stalled after a combative meeting between Trump administration officials and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office.
The agreement will establish the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund to help accelerate Ukraine’s economic recovery, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE AGREEMENT –
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"This agreement signals clearly to Russia that the Trump Administration is committed to a peace process centered on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine over the long term," Bessent said in a statement.
"President Trump envisioned this partnership between the American people and the Ukrainian people to show both sides’ commitment to lasting peace and prosperity in Ukraine. And, to be clear, no state or person who financed or supplied the Russian war machine will be allowed to benefit from the reconstruction of Ukraine."
The U.S. is seeking access to more than 20 raw materials considered strategically critical to its interests, including some non-minerals such as oil and natural gas.
Among them are Ukraine's deposits of titanium, which is used for making aircraft wings and other aerospace manufacturing, and uranium, which is used for nuclear power, medical equipment and weapons.
Ukraine also has lithium, graphite and manganese, which are used in electric vehicle batteries.
The deal will establish an equal partnership between the two countries and last for 10 years. Financial contributions to a joint fund would be made in cash, and only new U.S. military aid would count toward the American share.
Neither party will have a majority vote, reflecting an equal partnership between Ukraine and the United States, Svyrydenko said.
The fund is supported by the U.S. government through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation.
Unlike an earlier draft of the agreement, the deal would not conflict with Ukraine’s path toward European Union membership, a key provision for Kyiv.
Under the terms of the deal, the Ukrainian government will determine what minerals will be extracted and where, Svyrydenko said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The deal will give the US access to Ukraine's rare minerals in exchange for continued support in its war with Russia
The US State Department has sent notice to Congress that they have CERTIFIED a proposed license under the Arms Export Control Act for another $50 Million worth of "Defense Articles" for . . . Ukraine.
The Congressional Record today shows the following notice: EC-859.
What happened to "no more aid to Ukraine?"
What happened to negotiating a ceasefire or a peace deal?
What happened to all the ongoing meetings between the US and Russia?
The notice describes $50 million -- OR MORE -- in "defense articles" without saying what those defense articles actually are. What are they?
Since they require a license under the Arms Export Control Act, it seems logical they are more weapons.
Why are we sending more weapons to Ukraine?
Is this just some song and dance from government; they say we're working toward peace, they say we're negotiating with the Russians, and now, (surprise!) we're sending more weapons????
It's starting to look as though we're being "slow walked in a circle" so that after all the talk for weeks and months is done, we are right back where we started, still doing exactly, precisely, the same thing we were doing when this trouble all began.
READ MORE:
President Trump's phone call with Vladimir Putin leaves Ukraine reeling and European leaders stunned
Exclusive: U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal Will Be Signed After All Today: Report
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I interpret this "deal" as a bad deal to the USA. Ukraine says what, where, and when a material is mined. The USA supplies weapons to the Ukraine, NOW!. Sounds like we are back to the beginning of the war at square one! The death and destruction continues?? Please tell me where I'm wrong in this assumption!