The core of the mineral agreement between the United States and Ukraine is reportedly reaching its final stages, with both nations considering the establishment of a reconstruction investment fund. This plan involves Ukraine channeling 50% of revenue from mineral extraction into this fund. Recent reports from the Financial Times and Reuters indicate that these details have been agreed upon, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to sign the agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on the 28th.
Originally, the U.S. proposal included terms unfavorable to Ukraine, offering $500 billion from mineral resource profits with no security guarantees for Ukraine. However, the revised agreement now omits the U.S.’s demands for complete management and control and includes a commitment from the U.S. to support Ukraine’s efforts to gain necessary security assurances for sustained peace. Specifics of the security assurances and profit distribution remain undefined, and there is interest in whether a more advanced agreement will be reached. Zelensky is seeking strong security assurances, but the Trump administration is unwilling to commit to measures directly involving the U.S.
Additionally, Russia has proposed an agreement to give the U.S. rights to develop rare earth deposits in territories occupied by Russia during the conflict, including the resource-rich Donbas (Donetsk and Luhansk) region, traditionally known for its coal industry. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia is open to cooperation with partners, including the U.S., in these newly reclaimed territories.