US, Ukraine sign mineral deal
(VOVWORLD) -The United States and Ukraine signed a mineral deal on Wednesday after months of negotiations and at times tensions between the two countries' leaders.
 US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Ukrainian Economy Minister and First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko sign a mineral agreement in Washington on April 30. Photo: US Treasury Department
|
The agreement was signed in Washington DC by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.
The deal gives the US access to Ukraine's rare earths and other natural resources and allows for the creation of a joint investment fund for Ukraine's reconstruction. "In addition to direct financial contributions, the US may also provide new assistance - for example air defense systems for Ukrain," according to Svyrydenko.
Ukraine possesses nearly 15 trillion USD worth of mineral resources, making it one of Europe's most resource-rich nations.