Ukrainian officials stated on Friday that the terms of a proposed mineral deal with the United States remain unsettled, following reports that Washington is seeking all of Ukraine’s natural resource income until wartime aid is repaid.
The latest U.S. proposal would require Kyiv to direct all profits from a state-controlled resources fund to Washington until Ukraine has repaid all American military and financial aid, including interest.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko emphasized that Kyiv would not issue an official stance until a consensus is reached, warning that public discussions could be counterproductive. Meanwhile, Mykhailo Podolyak, an official in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office, confirmed that negotiations were still ongoing.
The Trump administration, which has shifted U.S. policy towards a more neutral stance on the war, has pushed Ukraine to sign a deal granting Washington a stake in its natural resources. While Zelenskyy has expressed openness to an agreement, he insists it must not undermine Ukraine’s economic stability.
Sources familiar with the talks say the latest U.S. draft offers no security guarantees and mandates that all state and private resource revenues be funneled into a joint investment fund. The U.S. would have priority in purchasing extracted resources and reclaiming aid funds, with a 4% annual interest charge, before Ukraine could access any profits.
Ukraine’s 2024 budget includes substantial revenues from state-owned resources, with $1.2 billion from subsurface rent payments, $1.8 billion in state dividends, and $19.4 billion from state enterprise profits. Under the proposed deal, these funds would be managed by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, with a board controlled by a U.S.-majority panel.
Previous versions of the deal were reportedly more favorable to Ukraine, originally proposing a 50-50 revenue split on future profits from state-owned resources. However, negotiations have taken a tougher turn following Zelenskyy’s White House visit in February, during which Trump criticized him and temporarily suspended intelligence and military aid.
Trump has positioned the mineral deal as a way for the U.S. to recover its financial investments in Ukraine while fostering a long-term economic partnership. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who leads the negotiations, has indicated that Washington expects a signed agreement soon.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated demands for Ukraine’s disarmament and government restructuring, claiming Moscow holds the “strategic initiative” in the war. He praised Trump’s approach and signaled openness to peace talks, provided Russia’s conditions are met.
The White House has not confirmed specific details of the mineral deal but maintains that it would strengthen Ukraine’s economic ties with the U.S. and support long-term stability.
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said late Monday that it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles laun...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia hit at least six energy targets in deadly strikes across Ukraine, showing Moscow is unwilling t...
Kazakhstan’s competition regulator has issued a formal warning to ride-hailing platform inDrive after fares for some journeys reportedly near...
One person was killed and nearly a dozen hurt in a fresh attack on Riyadh's international airport on Sunday, Saudi authorities reported, a day after a strike claimed by Yemen's Houthis killed 13 people and wounded more than 300.
Yemen's Houthis renewed warning to airlines, airport workers, and travellers against using Saudi airports, saying the warning should be taken seriously and that the kingdom “bore responsibility for failed interceptions”, a day after an attack on Riyadh's international airport that killed 12 people.
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said late Monday that it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi group toward Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
The Houthi movement has escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting the airport in Riyadh and other cities, killing more than a dozen people.
The Kremlin on Monday rejected a 60-day ceasefire idea proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to allow his country to hold presidential elections, saying it wanted an overall peace deal instead.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia hit at least six energy targets in deadly strikes across Ukraine, showing Moscow is unwilling to accept the energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg joined high school students protesting outside a school in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis on Tuesday, as a wave of student demonstrations continues across France.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has visited a newly opened defence museum displaying weapons developed under his leadership, including an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States.
Southeast Asian foreign ministers are set to discuss measures to tackle transboundary haze during preparatory meetings ahead of the ASEAN summit in November, as forest and land fires in Indonesia continue to affect air quality across the region, the Philippines said on Tuesday.
Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the United Kingdom believes Iran was likely behind an alleged plot connected to RAF Fairford, a military airbase in Gloucestershire in England that has played a role in U.S. operations against Iran, escalating tensions between London and Tehran.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment