The United States and Ukraine have reached a preliminary agreement to jointly develop Ukraine’s vast mineral resources, including rare earth elements, critical minerals, oil, and gas.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would visit Washington on Friday to sign the agreement. However, Zelenskyy emphasized that the success of the deal depends on securing security guarantees and continued U.S. aid.
“For me and for all of us in the world, it is important that American aid is not halted. Strength is needed on the path to peace,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address.
Despite Ukraine’s requests, the U.S. has yet to provide concrete security guarantees. “I’m not going to make security guarantees beyond very much,” President Trump stated. “We’re going to have Europe do that.”
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal described the agreement as “preliminary,” highlighting that Ukraine’s mineral resources would remain under Ukrainian control. He outlined plans for a reconstruction investment fund jointly managed by both governments, with Ukraine allocating 50% of future income from its natural resources to the fund. The U.S. would contribute financial resources to support Ukraine’s reconstruction projects.
Some experts have raised concerns about the deal’s implications. “This agreement represents an attempt by the U.S. to economically control Ukraine and seize its mineral resources,” said Chen Yu, deputy director of the Eurasian Studies Institute at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations.
He added that Ukraine, facing challenges in the ongoing power struggle, may feel compelled to accept the terms to repair relations with the U.S. and secure a position in future peace negotiations.
An editorial in The Washington Post warned that the new U.S. administration’s actions could signal a return to an era where powerful nations extract tribute from weaker ones through coercion.
The agreement has sparked debate over Ukraine’s sovereignty and the balance of power, leaving many questioning the true cost of the deal.
