U.S. and Ukraine Sign Landmark Mineral Resources Agreement to Boost Reconstruction and Strategic Partnership
New bilateral deal grants U.S. access to Ukraine’s critical minerals while establishing a joint investment fund for post-war recovery.
Watan-The United States and Ukraine announced a new economic agreement late Wednesday/Thursday, following weeks of pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who demanded that Ukraine compensate Washington for the billions of dollars in military and economic aid provided to help Kyiv repel the Russian invasion.
The U.S. Treasury Department stated that the two countries had signed an agreement to establish an investment fund for reconstruction.
In a statement released Wednesday, the department said:“This economic partnership positions our two countries to work and invest together to ensure that mutual assets, talents, and capabilities can accelerate Ukraine’s economic recovery.”
Both sides provided only limited details about the structure of the deal—named the U.S.-Ukraine Reinvestment Fund—but it is expected to give the United States access to Ukraine’s valuable rare earth minerals, while offering Ukraine some assurances of continued American support in its ongoing war with Russia.
Treasury Secretary Scott Besant said in a statement:“This agreement sends a clear message to Russia that the Trump administration is committed to a peace process centered around a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine.”
He added:“President Trump envisioned this partnership between the American and Ukrainian people to demonstrate a shared commitment to lasting peace and prosperity in Ukraine.”
The announcement comes at a critical moment in the war, which has now dragged on for more than three years, with Trump expressing growing frustration toward both sides. The signing also follows a previous, similar deal that nearly fell apart during a tense Oval Office meeting two months earlier, attended by Trump, his Vice President J.D. Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump has long criticized Zelensky, saying he “doesn’t have the cards” to win the war, and blamed him for prolonging the bloodshed by refusing to cede Crimea. However, in recent days, Trump also scolded Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he was “poorly timing” his latest deadly strikes on Kyiv during sensitive negotiations.
On “NewsNation” late Wednesday/Thursday, Trump said the agreement “in theory” means the U.S. will get more from Ukraine than it gave. He added he doesn’t want to “look like a fool” by not getting anything in return for the investment.
Ukraine Hails the Deal as Fair and Mutually Beneficial
For Ukraine, the agreement marks a critical step toward ensuring continued American military aid.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said:“This is indeed a strategic deal aimed at establishing a partnership investment fund. It is a fair and equal international agreement for joint investment in Ukraine’s development and reconstruction between the governments of the U.S. and Ukraine.”
Ukrainian Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko traveled to Washington on Wednesday to help finalize the agreement.
In a post on X after the signing, she wrote:“Together with the United States, we are establishing a fund that will attract global investment to our country.”
The United States seeks access to more than 20 raw materials considered vital and strategic to its interests, including non-metallic resources such as oil and natural gas.
Among these resources are Ukraine’s titanium deposits, used in aircraft wing construction and other aerospace components, as well as uranium—vital for nuclear energy, medical equipment, and weaponry. Ukraine also has reserves of lithium, graphite, and manganese, all essential minerals for electric vehicle battery production.
After Kyiv felt that the initial draft of the agreement overly favored the United States, it introduced new provisions aimed at addressing those concerns.
