Ukraine says mineral deal not final; summary shows US demands more income

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.

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