US provides draft agreement on Ukraine's natural resources, deputy PM says

First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Yuliya Sviridenko has said that the United States has provided a new draft agreement on the use of Ukraine's natural resources.

The government is studying the document, Caliber.Az reports via Ukrainian media.

During the hour of questions to the government Sviridenko said that Kyiv is forming its position on the agreement and will send it to Washington. In addition, the Verkhovna Rada will be consulted if necessary.

Sviridenko also said that any public discussions on the agreement only harm and prevent a constructive discussion with US partners.

Let's note that the United States proposed a draft agreement with Ukraine concerning the utilization of Ukraine's natural resources. This proposed deal involves the establishment of a jointly managed "Reconstruction Investment Fund," into which Ukraine would contribute 50% of revenues from future monetization of state-owned natural resources, including hydrocarbons, oil, natural gas, and rare earth minerals. The fund aims to attract investments to develop and monetize Ukrainian assets, with profits reinvested into Ukraine's economic recovery. ​

However, the draft agreement has drawn criticism due to its lack of explicit security guarantees for Ukraine. While the U.S. expresses support for Ukraine's efforts to obtain such guarantees, the draft does not commit to specific security provisions. Ukrainian officials have expressed concerns that the deal could undermine the nation's sovereignty and economic independence.

By Khagan Isayev