U.S. and Ukraine Sign Mineral Deal

The United States and Ukraine signed a mineral deal on Wednesday that gives the U.S. access to Ukraine’s critical minerals and natural resources.

The deal creates a U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, which establishes a 50/50 partnership for Ukraine’s reconstruction and management of its resources, particularly oil, gas and rare earth minerals.

Softened U.S.? Talks of the deal have been ongoing for months but have been fraught with disagreements. U.S. President Donald Trump previously pushed for the deal to require Ukraine to give the U.S. $100 billion in repayments for military aid supplied during the war.

The U.S.’s position in the agreement signed Wednesday makes no mention of Ukraine’s debt obligations. It also states all resources will remain under Ukrainian control and ownership, and Ukraine will be able to decide what and where to extract.

The deal is said to be mutually beneficial:

• The U.S. will invest in Ukrainian mineral and natural resource projects.
• Both countries will have an equal say in the specific investment projects.
• Each country will receive revenue generated, though Ukraine could give the U.S. more than the agreed 50 percent, if deemed necessary.
• The U.S. could provide military aid, if it wanted to.
• Income and contributions will not be taxed by either country.
• The deal acknowledges Ukraine’s pursuit of membership in the European Union.
• All American investments will contribute to future U.S. support for Ukraine.

Peace with Putin? The deal also acknowledges that Russia launched a “full-scale invasion” of Ukraine and puts pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin in peace negotiations, as the U.S. and Ukraine are now working closer together.

President Trump intends for the mineral deal to be the foundation for a larger peace deal in the Russo-Ukrainian War. He is still pressuring Ukraine to give up some of its land as concessions to Russia.

Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry has warned about these negotiations. Putin has showed no willingness to make concessions or end fighting, but President Trump believes he can still bring peace.

To understand more, read Mr. Flurry’s article “Does Donald Trump Know the Way to Peace?”