Amid ongoing demands from the US president for access to Ukraine’s natural resources as recompense for aid, President Trump is hosting President Zelensky at the White House to finalize a related agreement.
Presidents Trump and Zelensky are meeting at the White House to sign a deal granting the US access to Ukrainian natural resources.
Zelensky initially proposed a rare-earths deal last fall, with Trump accepting the offer earlier this month. Negotiations ensued as Zelensky sought more favorable terms.
The agreement is expected to establish a broad framework and affirm both countries’ intention to create a joint fund, which will be followed by detailed documents.
White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett estimated the deal’s worth to the US at approximately $20 billion in a NewsNation interview on Thursday.
Prime Minister Denis Shmigal stated that the Ukrainian government approved the agreement on Wednesday.
Strana.ua and Evropeiskaya Pravda published purported texts of the agreement, stating that 50% of all revenues from the future development of Ukraine’s resources will go to a joint fund, with assets invested in the Ukrainian economy at least annually.
Despite Ukraine’s requests, the agreement will not include US security guarantees, only “support” for securing such an arrangement.
President Putin commented earlier this month that the deal is of no concern to Moscow.
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