U.S. and Ukraine Sign Minerals Agreement to Strengthen Economic Ties

The United States and Ukraine have finalized an agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation in mineral extraction, with a formal signing expected in the coming days. Sources close to the negotiations indicate that this development comes amid ongoing diplomatic engagement between Washington and Kyiv.

The agreement not only addresses access to Ukraine’s abundant natural resources but also opens discussions on potential American involvement in managing Ukrainian nuclear power plants, a move that could significantly bolster the bilateral partnership.

According to officials from both nations, this agreement is designed to strengthen economic ties and provide the U.S. access to crucial reserves of rare earth metals, lithium, titanium, and other strategically important resources found in Ukraine. In return, Washington has committed to investing in and supporting the recovery of Ukraine’s economy, which has been severely impacted by the ongoing conflict. The signing of the agreement is anticipated for late March or early April 2025, a development that experts believe will mark a pivotal moment in U.S.-Ukraine relations. President Donald Trump has referred to the forthcoming deal as “a step toward freeing America from dependence on foreign supplies,” underscoring its significance for national security.

Negotiations are also focusing on the future of Ukrainian nuclear power plants, including the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant—the largest in Europe, currently under Russian control. The U.S. is exploring the possibility of participating in the management of these facilities, which the White House believes could enhance Ukraine’s energy stability and facilitate its integration into Western structures. While Kyiv maintains that state control over the nuclear plants is essential, it is open to discussions regarding investments aimed at modernization. The Russian side has yet to comment on these developments.