On Wednesday, Ukraine successfully negotiated more favorable terms with the United States, culminating in the long-anticipated minerals deal. This agreement on natural resources was finally reached after weeks of intense negotiations that at times became contentious, leading to a temporary halt in Washington’s aid to Kyiv. Ultimately, Ukrainian officials persuaded President Donald Trump to drop specific key demands, although they were unable to incorporate American security guarantees into the agreement.
Ukrainian officials hailed the finalized accord as a testament to an equal partnership between Kyiv and Washington. This marks a significant departure from earlier drafts, which President Volodymyr Zelensky described as the US essentially asking Ukraine to “sell my country.” The signed deal, which was reviewed by CNN, appears to be notably more advantageous to Ukraine compared to previous versions. Here’s a breakdown of the deal's key components.
One of the most crucial aspects of the deal is that it does not require Ukraine to reimburse the US for any aid already provided—an important concession from Trump, who had previously framed the agreement as Ukraine “paying back” the US. The initial demand from Washington was a $500 billion share of Ukraine’s rare earths and other minerals in return for the aid extended to Kyiv. When Zelensky rejected this proposal, Trump resorted to name-calling, labeling him as “a dictator.” Instead, the final agreement stipulates that future American military assistance will count towards a joint reconstruction investment fund aimed at developing Ukraine’s natural resources.
The deal grants the US preferential rights for mineral extraction in Ukraine, while ensuring that Kyiv retains the ultimate authority over what and where resources are mined. Ukraine will maintain ownership of its subsoil resources. “All resources on our territory and in our territorial waters belong to Ukraine. It is the Ukrainian state that determines where and what to extract,” stated Ukraine’s Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, who signed the deal on behalf of her country. Although Trump has referred to this agreement as a “rare earth” deal, it encompasses a broader range of natural resources, including oil, natural gas, gold, and copper.
In a significant win for Ukraine, the agreement adopts strong language regarding the ongoing war with Russia, explicitly identifying Moscow as the aggressor. This is a notable shift from some of Trump’s earlier claims that suggested Ukraine and Zelensky were responsible for the conflict. The deal outlines the goal of promoting “a peaceful, sovereign, and resilient Ukraine,” contrasting sharply with Trump’s earlier remarks that suggested Ukraine could become part of Russia.
The agreement also leaves open the possibility of Ukraine’s future membership in the European Union. It states that investments must align with Ukraine’s obligations as an EU candidate state, and should Ukraine eventually join the bloc, the deal will be renegotiated “in good faith.”
Despite the concessions made to Ukraine, the terms of the agreement illustrate several advantages secured by the US. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent characterized the deal as a “historic economic partnership,” indicating that it “signals clearly to Russia that the Trump Administration is committed to a peace process centered on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine over the long term.” Furthermore, the agreement specifies that any earnings from the deal will be tax-free and exempt from any levies or duties imposed by Ukraine. It also establishes that in instances of conflict between the agreement's wording and Ukrainian law, the deal will take legal precedence.
Notably absent from the agreement are any security guarantees from the US, a key demand that Ukraine had to drop. This demand had previously resulted in a heated exchange between Zelensky and Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office in February. Trump insisted that Ukraine must sign the agreement first before discussing security guarantees. Although Zelensky initially resisted, Ukrainian officials now believe that US investment and the presence of American companies in Ukraine will increase Washington's interest in Ukraine's security.
While the agreement ensures that the US receives preferential access to Ukraine’s mineral wealth, it does not guarantee exclusive rights. The deal is restricted to new projects, meaning that both the US and Ukraine will need to invest to generate profits. Existing mining operations that are already profitable for the Ukrainian government are excluded from this agreement.
Ukraine's mineral deposits are crucial not only for its own economic growth but also for wider geopolitical stability. Economists at Capital Economics, Liam Peach and Hamad Hussain, noted that this agreement “provides some reassurance that the Trump administration is not planning on abandoning Ukraine altogether,” as it establishes US economic interests in the region. Critical materials such as graphite, lithium, uranium, and rare earth elements are essential for electronics and clean energy technologies, making Ukraine's resources strategically important.
China has historically dominated the production of rare earth minerals, leaving the US reliant on imports for many critical materials. According to the United States Geological Survey, the US is entirely dependent on imports for 12 out of 50 critical minerals and more than 50% dependent for another 16. In contrast, Ukraine boasts deposits of 22 of these critical minerals, including significant reserves of graphite, lithium, titanium, beryllium, and uranium—all classified by the US as critical minerals.
