Ukraine Weighs US Minerals Deal—What’s at Stake?

The Ukrainian deputy prime minister said that Kyiv would announce its position on Friday once there is a consensus on the United States’ new draft mineral agreement. He warned people not to discuss the text publicly.

Yulia Shvyrydenko stated that such discussions are harmful and prevent “constructive dialogue” with the United States.

She was answering questions from lawmakers in Ukraine’s parliament. The remarks were broadcast on social media by a lawmaker, Oleksii Honcharenko.

Three sources with knowledge of ongoing negotiations and the summary for an initial proposal indicate that the Trump administration is proposing a more extensive mineral deal with Ukraine.

According to sources, the U.S. has revised its initial proposal. It now does not offer security guarantees to Ukraine in the future. However, it requires Ukraine to contribute to a fund all income generated on Ukrainian territory by state-owned enterprises and private companies.

The agreement presented by Washington is far more comprehensive than that which was discussed in the weeks preceding the controversial Oval Office summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last month.

According to a source, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is leading the United States’s negotiations.

Bessent did not immediately respond to our comment request.

The summary of the proposal states that the U.S. will not assume ownership of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, something Trump has mentioned.

Trump stated that a deal on minerals would help secure a peace agreement by giving the United States financial stakes in Ukraine’s future. Trump views the deal as a means for America to recover some of the financial assistance and military support it has given Ukraine since Russia invaded three years ago.

James Hewitt declined to confirm the terms of the most recent offer. He did say that the agreement would improve relations between the U.S. and Canada.

Hewitt stated that the deal with minerals gives Ukraine the opportunity to establish a lasting relationship of economics and peace on a long-term basis.