DE News Desk :
Ukraine and the United States signed a landmark minerals and investment deal on Wednesday, granting the US preferential access to Ukrainian rare earth resources and establishing a joint fund for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction.
The agreement, strongly advocated by US President Donald Trump, follows months of complex negotiations and is seen as a key step toward improving strained relations between Kyiv and Washington.
The signing took place in Washington between US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.
The US Treasury described the agreement as a symbol of America’s enduring commitment to a “free, sovereign, prosperous Ukraine.”
Svyrydenko confirmed that the deal allows Ukraine full sovereignty over its mineral extraction processes.
“We determine what and where to extract—our subsoil remains Ukrainian,” she said in a statement on X, adding that there are no debt obligations to the US under the agreement.
She also hinted that the accord could pave the way for future defense assistance, including air defense systems—though US officials have not commented directly on that point.
The deal grants US companies priority access to investment opportunities in Ukraine’s vast deposits of rare earth metals, uranium, iron, and natural gas—resources critical to global tech, energy, and defense industries.
Rare earth minerals, in particular, are a strategic asset dominated by China, which remains in a trade standoff with the US sparked by Trump-era tariffs.
Wednesday’s signing coincided with Trump’s renewed remarks insisting that the US must benefit materially from its support to Ukraine.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the US has committed more than $72 billion in military aid to Ukraine, according to Germany’s Kiel Institute.
The agreement notably excludes any requirement for Ukraine to repay past US military assistance, a red line for Kyiv during negotiations. However, it also does not include firm US security guarantees—one of Ukraine’s original objectives in the talks.
The deal is being hailed in Kyiv as a diplomatic win, especially as Ukraine seeks closer ties with the EU and long-term support amid stalled peace efforts.
The agreement complies with Ukraine’s constitution and its European Union accession ambitions, according to Svyrydenko.
Meanwhile, peace negotiations continue on a separate track.
Trump’s administration has proposed controversial terms, including potential recognition of Russia’s control over Crimea and other occupied regions—offers Kyiv has categorically rejected as unconstitutional.
Still, Ukrainian officials view the minerals agreement as a signal to global partners that long-term, strategic collaboration with Ukraine is viable, even in the midst of war.
“This deal shows that partnerships spanning decades are not only possible—but dependable,” Svyrydenko said.