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A remarkable development in U.S.-Ukraine relations emerged with the disclosure of an extensive mineral rights agreement framework, offering insights into the delicate balance between security assurances and economic collaboration between the two nations.
The agreement, reportedly scheduled for signing by Presidents Trump and Zelensky, represents a significant milestone in bilateral relations. While falling short of Ukraine’s initial request for comprehensive security guarantees in exchange for access to its substantial untapped mineral resources, the framework includes some of the strongest supportive language from the Trump administration regarding Ukraine’s future.
According to the Kyiv Independent’s published text, the bilateral agreement emphasizes the American people’s commitment to “invest alongside Ukraine in a free, sovereign and secure Ukraine” and affirms that “The Government of the United States of America supports Ukraine’s efforts to obtain security guarantees needed to establish lasting peace.”
JUST NOW: Ukraine agrees to a minerals deal with the United States, Ukraine will give 50% of future mineral revenue to a joint fund and will get no security guarantees.
A huge win for the Trump Administration.
Via: FT pic.twitter.com/NiFi4ucrdG
— Ian Jaeger (@IanJaeger29) February 25, 2025
The document incorporates strategic language that appears to exclude potential competitors from Ukraine’s mineral wealth. Without explicitly naming specific nations, it effectively creates barriers for countries like Russia and potentially China from participating in Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction efforts.
Notably, the agreement acknowledges Ukraine’s historical decision to relinquish its nuclear arsenal in the 1990s, a point frequently emphasized by President Zelensky in discussions about the Budapest memorandum, which guaranteed Ukraine’s territorial integrity in exchange for surrendering its Soviet-era nuclear weapons.
As an initial framework, the agreement establishes the foundation for future detailed arrangements. While it outlines the creation of an investment fund for Ukraine’s post-war economic development, specific details about ownership structures and mutual benefits remain to be defined in subsequent agreements.
🚨🇺🇸🇺🇦US REMOVES “SECURITY” FROM UKRAINE MINERALS DEAL—NO PROMISE OF MILITARY AID
The latest draft of the US-Ukraine minerals deal has scrubbed the word “security”, making it clear that Washington will not commit to further military support.
Instead, the deal funnels revenue… https://t.co/xcoUPTb8EQ pic.twitter.com/bVQUfQ0BZG
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 23, 2025
[The blog post continues with the exact quotes from the text of the deal as published by the Kyiv Independent, starting with “WHEREAS the United States of America has provided significant financial and material support…” and ending with “…Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Economy.”]
The agreement concludes by establishing itself as a crucial component of bilateral and multilateral arrangements aimed at securing lasting peace and strengthening economic security.
