Ukraine Approves Agreement With the U.S. on Mineral Resources, Says PM

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved the necessary decisions to proceed with signing an agreement with the United States on the use of mineral resources.

The agreement, which has been adjusted to align with Ukraine’s commitments under the European integration process, will outline six key provisions.

According to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the agreement will establish a joint Ukraine-U.S. Reconstruction Investment Fund.

The fund will be co-owned and jointly managed by both governments. Importantly, Ukraine’s natural resources will remain under Ukrainian ownership, with no transfer of property rights to the U.S. or any other entity.

Ukraine will contribute 50% of future revenues from its natural resource assets to the fund, while the U.S. will provide financial contributions in the form of capital, financial instruments, and other assets critical for Ukraine’s reconstruction. The collected resources will be allocated exclusively for rebuilding efforts, with a long-term perspective aimed at future generations.

Shmyhal emphasized that the agreement does not contradict Ukraine’s commitments within the European integration framework. The government’s decision allows for the formal signing of the agreement, marking another step in Ukraine’s post-war recovery strategy.

Earlier, the United States and Ukraine finalized a bilateral agreement on critical minerals, establishing a Reconstruction Investment Fund aimed at supporting Ukraine’s economic recovery. The deal outlines joint ownership and management, with Ukraine committing a share of future revenues from natural resource extraction while the U.S. pledges financial contributions.

The agreement, set to be signed in Washington by Presidents Zelenskyy and Trump, marks a shift from earlier proposals linking mineral access to aid. However, questions remain regarding security guarantees and investment protections.