Ukraine Reports Progress in U.S. Mineral Deal Talks Backed by Trump

Ukraine says it has made significant headway in high-stakes negotiations with the United States over a critical minerals agreement championed by President Donald Trump.

“Our technical teams have held detailed discussions and made substantial progress,” Ukraine’s Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced on social media on April 16, referring to the ongoing talks with Washington.

According to Svyrydenko, Kyiv has revised parts of the draft agreement, and both sides are expected to sign a letter of intent soon. She added that Ukraine’s parliament will later vote on the final deal.

“This agreement will create new investment and development opportunities in Ukraine and lay the foundation for economic growth in both our countries,” Svyrydenko said.

Since taking office, President Trump has pushed for the U.S. to secure access to Ukraine’s vast mineral reserves as a form of compensation for previous aid provided under the Biden administration during the war with Russia.

The initial version of the deal would have granted the U.S. rights to extract key minerals from Ukrainian territory, but did not include the security guarantees Kyiv had sought. Under the original terms, Ukraine would also be required to allocate 50% of the revenues into a reconstruction fund jointly managed by both governments.

The deal was originally scheduled to be signed on February 28 during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the White House. However, the plan collapsed after a heated exchange between Zelensky and senior U.S. officials, including Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Sources familiar with the talks say the latest version of the agreement no longer treats U.S. aid as a debt Ukraine must repay. Bloomberg previously reported that Washington had softened its stance on requiring Kyiv to reimburse the assistance it has received since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly stated during a forum in Argentina on April 14 that the agreement could be signed “as early as this week.”

According to the 2024 World Mining Data report, Ukraine ranks 40th in global mineral production and holds roughly 5% of the world’s known reserves. In 2023, geologists identified more than 100 types of mineral resources in Ukraine, including iron, manganese, graphite, titanium, lithium, and uranium.

Forbes Ukraine estimated in April 2023 that the country’s total mineral wealth is valued at $14.8 trillion, with around 70% located in Donetsk and Luhansk—two of the four regions Russia claimed to annex in late September 2022.

(Source: AFP)

Hello Shuttle will strive to bring the latest updates. At the end of the day.

Are you looking for reliable airport and cruise port transfer services in Los Angeles?

We offer professional, safe, and punctual transportation from

Los Angeles Airport - LAX

Long Beach Airport - LGB

John Wayne Airport - SNA

San Pedro cruise port

Long Beach cruise port

Disneyland

and other destinations.

Let us make your journey stress-free and comfortable with our dedicated drivers and high-quality vehicles. Book now for the perfect travel experience at www.helloshuttle.com or call 944-800-5678!