NYT: Washington’s resource deal with Kyiv won’t ensure future support against Russia

A recent report by The New York Times states that the US and Ukraine are close to finalizing an agreement that would grant Washington a share of Kyiv's revenues from natural resources but does not provide Ukraine with security guarantees.

The article claims that the latest version of the agreement, which was discussed on February 24, offers Ukraine more favourable terms compared to previous drafts.

However, it still does not include the security guarantees Kyiv has been seeking. Citing White House officials, the newspaper notes that "this economic agreement with Ukraine will not be a guarantee of future assistance" in the conflict with Russia. According to the publication, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may travel to the US to sign the document "this week or next."

In early February, US President Donald Trump stated that Washington was interested in obtaining rare earth metals from Ukraine. On February 12, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent handed Zelenskyy the text of the mineral resources agreement during a visit to Kyiv. Although Zelenskyy had previously expressed willingness to finalize the deal, he did not sign it — neither during his meeting with Bessent nor later in Munich when he met with US Vice President J.D. Vance.

Zelensky insists that the proposed agreement lacks security guarantees. However, on February 21, US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz stated that Zelenskyy would sign the deal with the United States in the near future. Following this, sources in Zelenskyy’s office told Ukrainian media that the document still required revisions.

Meanwhile, during a press conference on February 23, Zelenskyy declared that he "does not want to sign" the agreement with the US, arguing that it would burden "ten generations of Ukrainians" with its obligations.

By Tamilla Hasanova