Ukraine to decide what and where to extract under US deal, says deputy PM PHOTO

The deal between Ukraine and the United States on mineral resources stipulates that all resources on Ukrainian territory remain the property of and under the control of Kyiv, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko stated.

Svyrydenko confirmed the signing of the deal with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a Facebook post, Caliber.Az reports.

"Full ownership and control remain with Ukraine. All resources on our territory and in our territorial waters belong to Ukraine. It is the Ukrainian state that determines where and what to extract. The subsoil remains under Ukrainian ownership — this is enshrined in the agreement," Svyrydenko wrote.

​On April 30, 2025, the United States and Ukraine signed a significant agreement establishing the United States–Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund. This fund is designed to facilitate joint investment in Ukraine's natural resources, including critical minerals, oil, and gas, aiming to bolster Ukraine's post-war reconstruction and economic recovery. ​

According to the agreement, Ukraine will contribute 50% of the revenue from the monetization of its natural resources, such as minerals, oil, and gas, to the Reconstruction Investment Fund. This contribution is capped at $500 billion, after accounting for operating expenses. ​

The fund will be jointly owned and managed by both countries, with equal voting rights. Profits are to be reinvested exclusively in Ukraine to support its economic development. ​The agreement stipulates that Ukraine is not obligated to repay previous U.S. military aid, addressing concerns over earlier drafts that proposed reclassifying aid as debt. ​The revised agreement aligns with European Union laws, supporting Ukraine's aspirations for EU membership.

Ukraine possesses substantial reserves of critical minerals, including lithium, graphite, titanium, and rare earth elements, which are essential for manufacturing electric vehicle batteries, solar panels, military equipment, and semiconductors. This agreement provides the U.S. with access to these resources, potentially reducing Western dependence on Chinese rare earths and strengthening the U.S.-Ukraine alliance amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. ​

By Khagan Isayev