In a bold move to secure economic and strategic interests, the United States and Ukraine finalized a landmark agreement in May 2025 to share profits from Ukraine’s abundant mineral and energy reserves.
The BBC reported that this deal, signed after months of intense negotiations, creates the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund to bolster Ukraine’s war-torn economy while ensuring continued American support for its defense.
The agreement marks a pragmatic step to address concerns over the scale of U.S. aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Efforts to reach this deal faced significant hurdles, with talks initially collapsing in February 2025 after a heated White House exchange.
President Donald Trump, a key advocate for the agreement, accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of risking global stability during their February meeting.
The two leaders later met on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral in May 2025, paving the way for renewed discussions.
Ukraine possesses vast reserves of critical minerals like graphite, titanium, and lithium, essential for renewable energy, military technology, and infrastructure. These resources, which remain under Ukrainian ownership, are a focal point of the deal, with projects spanning minerals, oil, and gas.
The agreement grants the U.S. access to these assets in exchange for future security assistance, including advanced air defense systems. The partnership operates on a 50:50 profit-sharing basis, pending ratification by Ukrainian lawmakers in Kyiv.
Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko traveled to Washington to sign the deal, emphasizing its role in attracting global investment. “The new fund would attract global investment into our country,” Svyrydenko stated, highlighting Kyiv’s economic ambitions.
The deal responds to President Trump’s push for Ukraine to offset the billions in U.S. military aid provided since the war began.
“The deal would recuperate the multi-billion dollar US assistance to Ukraine since the war began and much more in theory,” Trump noted. However, the agreement provides less than Trump’s initial demand for full repayment of all U.S. aid, reflecting concessions secured by Zelensky.
The U.S. Treasury, led by Secretary Scott Bessent, announced the deal, underscoring its commitment to Ukraine’s prosperity. “It showed both sides were committed to lasting peace and prosperity in Ukraine,” Bessent said.
The agreement also positions the U.S. to counter China’s dominance in rare-earth minerals amid an ongoing trade war.
Last-minute delays arose when Ukraine sought to revise terms, with U.S. sources criticizing Kyiv over issues like fund governance and transparency. Technical documents, signed the week prior, addressed these concerns to finalize the agreement.
The deal explicitly bars any state or individual tied to Russia’s war efforts from benefiting from Ukraine’s reconstruction. For Kyiv, the agreement is critical to sustaining U.S. military support, a lifeline against Russia’s aggression.
“The deal would help unlock Ukraine’s growth assets,” Bessent added, signaling optimism for Ukraine’s economic recovery. The Kremlin has yet to comment, but the deal strengthens U.S.-Ukraine ties while securing access to resources vital for national security.
This agreement reflects a hard-nosed approach to foreign aid, prioritizing mutual benefit over open-ended commitments. It also underscores the strategic value of Ukraine’s mineral wealth in a world racing for critical resources.