After months of tense negotiations, the United States and Ukraine have signed a groundbreaking agreement to share profits from Ukraine’s future sales of mineral and energy resources. The deal aims to give Washington a direct economic stake in Ukraine’s long-term recovery while reinforcing military and reconstruction support amid ongoing war with Russia.
Ukraine is home to vast reserves of critical minerals such as graphite, titanium, and lithium—materials crucial for renewable energy, defense systems, and high-tech infrastructure. Under the agreement, the US will gain partial access to these resources through a 50:50 partnership, though full ownership remains with Ukraine.
The deal also establishes the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, which will be used to attract global investment and fast-track Ukraine’s economic recovery. The US Treasury says the fund recognizes Washington’s “significant financial and material support” since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent praised the agreement, saying it would help “unlock Ukraine’s growth assets” and ensure both sides remain committed to lasting peace and prosperity.
The agreement’s language marks a notable shift in tone from the Trump administration, explicitly referencing “Russia’s full-scale invasion” and stating that no actors who supported Moscow’s war effort will benefit from Ukraine’s reconstruction.
The Kremlin has yet to respond.
For Kyiv, the deal is considered essential to maintaining the flow of US military aid. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, who signed the agreement in Washington, said it would cover joint projects in mineral extraction, oil, and gas, while confirming the resources would remain Ukrainian property. The deal must now be ratified by Ukraine’s parliament.
She added that the US would provide additional military aid, including air defense systems, as part of the arrangement.
President Donald Trump, who had long pushed for a more transactional approach to foreign aid, insisted on this agreement as a prerequisite for any future security guarantees to Kyiv. While the deal falls short of his original demand that Ukraine repay all US wartime assistance, it grants the US tangible long-term benefits in return for continued support.
The breakthrough reportedly came after a face-to-face meeting between Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral. Trump, speaking later on NewsNation, said he urged Zelensky to finalize the deal, citing Ukraine’s valuable mineral assets.
“They have things that a lot of places don’t have — it’s a big asset,” Trump said, referencing rare earth elements, which are key to high-tech industries and currently dominated by China, which controls around 90% of the global supply.
The agreement not only strengthens Ukraine’s defense capabilities but also positions the country as a strategic resource partner amid growing global competition over critical minerals.
