This week, Ukraine will send an official delegation to Washington to begin negotiations on a new draft agreement that could open access for the United States to Ukraine’s rich deposits of critical minerals. The visit marks the start of a fresh phase in bilateral talks after weeks of silence from Washington and comes amid broader discussions about Ukraine’s post-war recovery and sovereignty over natural resources.
New Round of Talks After Earlier Disputes
Negotiations around mineral access had stalled earlier this year following a tense meeting at the White House between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Vice President JD Vance. That meeting led to the leak of a draft agreement, which sparked concerns in Ukraine about sovereignty, particularly regarding strategic assets such as rare earths, oil, and natural gas.
In response to the backlash, the U.S. presented a revised version of the draft agreement. The new text reportedly provides more detail on how a joint investment fund would function, with the goal of financing Ukraine’s reconstruction. However, the document currently reflects only the U.S. Treasury’s position and awaits a formal response from Kyiv.
Ukraine Seeks Legal Clarity and Fair Terms
Ukraine’s Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko emphasized that the country is now conducting a thorough legal review of the proposed agreement, including analysis of its compatibility with the Constitution. To support this, Ukraine is involving one of the world’s leading legal firms to advise its delegation and work in coordination with American counterparts.
According to Svyrydenko, Ukraine’s objective is to define its position clearly and ensure that any deal protects national interests while fostering economic recovery.
Strategic Value of Ukraine’s Mineral Wealth
Ukraine possesses over 20 minerals considered critical by the United States, including titanium (essential for aerospace), lithium (used in electric vehicle batteries), and uranium (for nuclear power). These resources are not only valuable for Ukraine’s economy but also strategically important for Western industries seeking to reduce dependency on supplies from rival powers.
