US, Ukraine Finalize Minerals Deal After Trump Push

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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Ukraine and the United States have signed a mineral agreement after pressure from President Donald Trump. The deal would give Washington access to valuable, rare minerals and help rebuild the war-torn country.

The two countries signed the agreement in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, after tense months of negotiations. The negotiations took place amidst ongoing uncertainty that continued until the last moments. During a meeting at the White House between President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky in February 2025, the U.S. and Ukraine failed to reach an agreement.

Announcing the deal, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that establishing the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund signals to Russia that the Trump administration is committed to peace. In the long run, Trump envisions a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine.

“President Trump envisioned this partnership between the American people and the Ukrainian people to show both sides’ commitment to lasting peace and prosperity in Ukraine,” Bessent said in a statement quoted from Al Jazeera.

"No state or person who financed or supplied the Russian war machine will be allowed to benefit from the reconstruction of Ukraine,” Bessent said.

The U.S. did not provide further details on the agreement.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Economy said the U.S. would contribute the funds directly or through military aid. Ukraine will contribute 50 percent of the revenue from resource exploitation.

The ministry stated that all the resources from the funds will be invested in Ukraine for the first 10 years. After that, the profits can be distributed among the partners.

“We are gaining not only investment, but also a strategic partner committed to working with us to drive economic growth and innovation,” stated Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.

In a post on Telegram just before the agreement was signed, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said the deal would give Kyiv full control over land layers, infrastructure, and natural resources. The mineral agreement will not disrupt Ukraine's efforts to join the European Union.

After the signing of the agreement, Donald Trump spoke out. "I wanted to be protected," said Trump to NewsNation as quoted by Kyiv Independent, on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

“We are in for $350 billion, or close to it… (Former President Joe) Biden handed them $350 billion between cash and military equipment. We got nothing," said Trump.

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