Zelenskyy sets stakes for US-Ukraine minerals agreement Security guarantees key to future

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that Ukraine and the United States have outlined an agreement in which both countries will jointly fund Ukraine's future security and reconstruction through an investment fund driven by Ukraine's rare earth minerals.

However, Zelenskyy made it clear that the deal's success hinges on its ability to adequately address Ukraine’s future security against Russia, rather than solely serving American interests, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

“If I see and hear a broader vision from him [President Donald Trump] — one that aligns with our concept of a just peace for Ukraine — then this agreement can be part of broader security guarantees," Zelenskyy said during a news conference. He emphasized that while the deal had potential, it could either be a “major success or it could pass quietly,” depending on his upcoming conversation with President Trump, which is set for February 28.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, who provided more concrete details about the agreement earlier in the day, stated that the deal would establish an investment fund by tapping into Ukraine's rare earth mineral wealth. The fund would then be used to finance the country’s reconstruction and bolster its security.

Despite these developments, Zelenskyy expressed concerns about the nature of the security guarantees included in the agreement, saying, "Although this agreement is economic, I strongly advocated for at least some mention of security guarantees for Ukraine." He added that government officials had briefed him on the inclusion of security guarantees in some form but that he had not yet seen the full details.

Zelenskyy also stressed that Ukraine’s rare earth minerals would not be used to repay the US for past military and humanitarian assistance. Instead, the fund would focus on new mineral deposits, with profits from the fund being split evenly between both countries.

The agreement, which has been in the works for some time, comes amid deteriorating relations between Ukraine and the US, sparked by President Trump’s earlier comments suggesting that Ukraine should use its mineral wealth to repay the US for military aid. Zelenskyy’s firm rejection of these comments had led to tensions between the two nations.

By Vafa Guliyeva