The United States has concluded a long-anticipated natural resources agreement with Ukraine, described by the Treasury Department as a significant step to support Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction.
The deal, which had been actively advocated by President Donald Trump as a prerequisite for any future security assurances to Kyiv during its conflict with Russia, is expected to aid Ukraine’s ongoing resilience efforts.
In an official statement, the US emphasized that the agreement “sends a clear signal to Russia” of the Trump administration’s commitment to a peace process grounded in a “free, sovereign, and prosperous” Ukraine.
Under the arrangement, a joint Ukrainian-American investment fund will be established to explore mineral resources, with explicit provisions regarding how revenues will be allocated.
According to the Treasury’s announcement Wednesday afternoon, the newly launched US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund recognizes the “significant financial and material support” the US has extended to Ukraine since the Russian invasion commenced in February 2022.
“President Trump envisioned this partnership as a symbol of enduring collaboration between Americans and Ukrainians to foster lasting peace and prosperity,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent commented.
He further stressed, “No state or individual who supported the Russian war machine will share in the reconstruction of Ukraine.”
In a video statement, Bessent described the agreement as a catalyst to “unlock Ukraine’s growth assets.”
Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko traveled to Washington on Wednesday following pivotal negotiations.
Posting on X outside the US Treasury, Svyrydenko stated that the new fund would “attract global investment into our country.”
The deal’s announcement followed a postponement, attributed by US officials to Ukraine seeking to renegotiate aspects of the accord previously agreed upon.
“We are prepared to sign this afternoon if Ukraine is as well,” Bessent noted earlier Wednesday, acknowledging Kyiv’s eleventh-hour requests for amendments.
A US official familiar with the discussions expressed frustration at Ukraine’s attempts to revisit terms finalized over the weekend.
Both delegations reportedly worked late into Friday and through the early hours of Wednesday to reach consensus on the agreement, sources told the BBC.
Key issues included the fund’s governance, transparency provisions, and ensuring comprehensive traceability of all investments.
“Nothing has been removed,” Bessent clarified regarding any changes. “This remains the same agreement reached over the weekend. There were no revisions from our side.”
Technical documents were finalized last week by representatives from both nations.
Ukraine is home to significant deposits of strategic minerals such as graphite, titanium, and lithium—resources that are increasingly vital for renewable energy, military production, and industrial supply chains.
The Trump administration’s interest in foreign mineral assets comes amid heightened trade tensions with China, a nation currently responsible for 90% of the world’s rare-earth supply.
Officials suggest the agreement may grant the US broad access to Ukrainian sectors beyond minerals.
While the accord does not elaborate on specific security commitments from Washington, it is presented as “a tangible demonstration of the United States of America’s support for Ukraine’s security.”
The agreement was signed shortly after President Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky met on the margins of Pope Francis’ funeral, with diplomatic discussions between Moscow and Washington regarding a possible Ukraine ceasefire ongoing.
Recent Trump-Zelensky talks were notably more cordial than their previous February White House meeting, which has since led to a measured shift in tone from the US president towards both Ukraine and Russia.
Referring to the accord on Wednesday, Trump remarked: “We are constantly searching for rare earth minerals. Ukraine has substantial reserves, now we have an agreement that benefits both parties.”
The initial signing was scheduled for February but was derailed following a confrontation in which Trump criticized Zelensky for “gambling with World War Three.”
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