USA -Ukraine metal deal: What we know

Ukraine has signed a deal that gives the United States control of a share of its future revenues of natural resources, a long -awaited agreement that considers how to clarify the way for continued American support.

The announcement was late on Wednesday that the deal was signed after months of charged negotiations-including the explosive oval office-where the Trump administration is trying to the Ukraine war for a period of three years with Russia.

The agreement, which involves establishing a joint investment fund between the two countries, aims to give President Trump a personal share in the country’s fate while addressing his fears that the United States has provided Kiev with an empty examination to try to bear the invasion of Russia. It can also clarify the way for further talks on US military support to Ukraine and on the conditions of a possible truce with Russia.

What is in the deal?

The metal deal will establish an investment fund controlled by the United States that will receive revenue from the natural resources of Ukraine, according to a copy of the agreement published on Thursday.

It seems that Ukraine was able to get some of what you want, but not everything.

The Trump administration had said in March that it wanted to pay Ukraine to pay the assistance during the war with its mineral wealth – which would have been financially harmful to Ukraine for generations. The idea of ​​treating this aid is removed as a religion in the final deal. The deal appears to keep the door specifically open to Ukraine to finally join the European Union.

There was no mention of an American security guarantee in the text of the nine -page deal published by the Ukraine government on Thursday.

Kiev and Washington will jointly manage the fund, which will be funded with revenues from new projects in critical metals, oil and gas – not from the projects that are already operating.

Although the agreement does not treat previous aid to Ukraine as debts that the country needs to pay, it says that future military aid, including weapons and training, will be dealt with as an American contribution to the fund – which means that Ukraine will need to match future aid to resource wealth.

The agreement does not change the management of state -owned energy companies in Ukraine. All natural resources will continue to be considered Ukraine’s property.

In addition, the agreement says that the United States and Ukraine want to make sure that the countries “that have been negatively acted to Ukraine in the conflict do not benefit from the rebuilding of Ukraine” by just reaching peace – in other words, Russia.

Legionships said on Thursday that the Parliament of Ukraine still has to ratify the agreement, which will likely happen in the next two weeks.

Adhere to the road

The early drafts of the deal have revolved between what critics called Flipalization of Ukraine’s rudeness By the Trump administration and the publications that included the points requested by Ukraine, such as references to the US support to ensure post -war security.

Without these guarantees, Ukraine said, Russia can quickly violate any stop or restart the war after reassembled and rid its ranks. Mr. Trump said that Ukraine should look at Europe, not the United States, for such security guarantees.

What happened in the oval office

The deal was supposed to be signed at the beginning when President Voludimir Zelinski visited Washington in February. But a signing ceremony was suddenly canceled after Mr. Trump and Mr. Vance Ukrainian President In the oval office of what they said, he was not grateful enough to support us and sought to pressure him in a peace deal. Mr. Zelinski was suddenly asked to leave the White House, and the United States temporarily freeze all military assistance and intelligence participation with Ukraine.

Since then, Mr. Zellinski has worked to soften relationships. Each of him and Mr. Trump indicated that it is still possible to reach a deal.

Mineral resources in Ukraine

Ukraine controls more than 100 main deposits for critical mineralsAccording to a study conducted by Kyiv Economics College, as well as modest oil and natural gas reserves.

• Titaniumand Used in construction, aircraft, bone transplantation and as an additive in paint and cosmetics, including sunscreen, among many other things. Titanium mines in central Ukraine account for about 6 percent of global production, according to the Ukrainian media.

• Uranium It is used in nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons. Ukraine has the largest reserves in Europe.

• Oil and natural gas Field fields are several regions of Ukraine, and surveys conducted before the war find natural gas reserves abroad.

• LithiumHesm in batteries, including those in electric cars and in other industrial products, including some medications. Ukraine has a third of the total European reserves, although some sites are in the areas that are tested in the war. Before the war with Russia, Ukrainian officials, Elon Musk, suggested that he was investing in Ukrainian lithium mines.

• RareA group of more than ten minerals, much abundant than titanium or lithium, which are used in many high -tech sectors, including green energy, electronics and space. Ukraine has often large unpopular reserves, and it is not clear the cost of extracting it.

• ManganeseIt is used for steel melting.

• Zirconiumand It is used in the manufacture of ceramic, nuclear fuel bars and artificial diamonds.

• GraphiteUsed to manufacture steel and electric motors. Ukraine is one of the world’s top producers.

What happens after that?

All the time, Ukraine was determined to get a seat at the negotiating table with Moscow and ensure guarantees against Russian aggression in the future.

Mr. Zellinski has made it clear for a long time Agreement on natural resources It is not an end in itself. He is looking for continuous American support.

Rappeport in this field and Peter Baker The reports contributed.