Ukraine’s parliament has ratified a landmark minerals and economic partnership agreement with the United States, aiming to bolster bilateral cooperation and unlock investment potential, while navigating regional conflict dynamics and future reconstruction plans.
Ukraine’s parliament has approved a significant minerals and economic partnership agreement with the United States, aiming to enhance bilateral cooperation in critical sectors and lay the groundwork for long-term investment and recovery efforts.
On Thursday, 338 lawmakers voted in favor of ratifying the agreement, with no votes against. While some deputies expressed concern over limited details in the deal - particularly regarding the governance of a planned investment fund and its financial mechanisms - officials reassured that specifics would be outlined in upcoming supplements.
First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko described the agreement as the foundation for a new model of engagement with a key strategic partner. “This document is not merely a legal construct - it is the foundation of a new model of interaction with a key strategic partner,” she wrote on social media.
The deal, signed in Washington last month, grants the U.S. preferential access to future Ukrainian minerals projects and includes the establishment of an investment fund to support Ukraine’s recovery over the next decade. Officials have said the fund will become operational in the coming weeks and its effectiveness will depend on continued U.S. involvement.
Some lawmakers voiced caution about transparency and long-term impacts, though government representatives stressed that Ukraine would maintain control over its strategic resources and reconstruction priorities.
The agreement also follows months of challenging negotiations between U.S. and Ukrainian officials. While not tied directly to military aid, Kyiv views the deal as an avenue to advance dialogue on defense support and broader economic integration, including Ukraine’s long-term goal of joining the European Union.
The ratification comes as discussions over potential ceasefire arrangements continue. Ukraine has signaled its openness to a temporary 30-day truce proposed by Washington, whereas Russia has offered a three-day ceasefire from May 8 to 10. These proposals are part of broader, ongoing efforts to ease tensions, although significant gaps remain between negotiating parties.
Ukrainian officials emphasize that the minerals agreement aligns with the country’s strategic interests. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the final version as an improvement over earlier drafts, which some lawmakers had previously criticized for being too one-sided. The deal does not require Ukraine to return previous aid, and it includes a U.S. statement recognizing Ukraine’s EU aspirations.
The 27 European Union member states have approved €20 million (approximately $23.3 million) in assistance for Armenia from the European Peace Faci...
“For some weeks now, we have been seeing with increasing clarity the emergence of a world of great powers,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said ...
Kazakhstan lost around 3.8 million tonnes of oil exports following an attack on facilities of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), Energy Minister Y...
Afghanistan is seeking Azerbaijan’s support to help secure its official participation in the upcoming United Nations COP31 global climate change con...
Armenia’s current peace rhetoric sends a dual message, balancing signals of readiness for reconciliation with Azerbaijan while maintaining a hard li...
“For some weeks now, we have been seeing with increasing clarity the emergence of a world of great powers,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday (29 January), declaring that Europe had found “self-respect” in standing up for a rules-based global order.
Kazakhstan lost around 3.8 million tonnes of oil exports following an attack on facilities of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said, stressing that it is still too early to assess the losses in monetary terms.
Afghanistan is seeking Azerbaijan’s support to help secure its official participation in the upcoming United Nations COP31 global climate change conference, scheduled to be held in Türkiye, as Kabul looks to strengthen its engagement on climate diplomacy and technical cooperation.
Armenia’s current peace rhetoric sends a dual message, balancing signals of readiness for reconciliation with Azerbaijan while maintaining a hard line on security amid an election period, says political analyst.
The S&P 500 edged to a record closing high on Tuesday, marking its fifth consecutive day of gains, as strong advances in technology stocks offset a sharp selloff in healthcare shares and a mixed batch of corporate earnings.
Sanctions are a long-used tool designed as an alternative to military force and with the objective of changing governments’ behaviour, but they also end up hurting civilian citizens.
Residents in Syria’s Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli have stepped up volunteer patrols amid growing pressure from the country’s Islamist-led government, expressing deep mistrust of Damascus despite a fragile U.S.-backed ceasefire.
Liverpool confirmed direct qualification to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 with a 6-0 win over Qarabağ at Anfield in their final league-phase match. Despite the setback, Qarabağ secured a play-off spot, with results elsewhere going in the Azerbaijani champions’ favour on the final matchday.
Iraq's former Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki said on Wednesday that he rejects U.S. interference in Iraq's internal affairs, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to cut off support to the country if Maliki was picked as prime minister.
“For some weeks now, we have been seeing with increasing clarity the emergence of a world of great powers,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday (29 January), declaring that Europe had found “self-respect” in standing up for a rules-based global order.
Colombian authorities on Wednesday (28 January) located a missing plane carrying 15 people in the northeast of the country, with no survivors found, an Air Force source and local media said.
Chinese authorities say they've carried out capital punishment against a group of individuals tied to notorious telecommunications fraud syndicates operating across the southern border, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party is likely to increase its number of parliamentary seats and gain a majority in the lower house, a preliminary survey by the Nikkei newspaper showed on Thursday (29 January).
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 29th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment