U.S.-Ukraine Mineral Deal Hangs in Balance Amid Ongoing Negotiations

The mineral deal between Ukraine and the U.S. remains unfinished as negotiations continue. The U.S. demands all of Ukraine's natural resources income until wartime aid is repaid. Kyiv seeks consensus before finalizing. The deal omits future security guarantees, stipulating a joint investment fund controlled by the U.S.

Negotiations over a mineral deal between Ukraine and the United States remain unresolved, with Ukrainian officials stating that terms have yet to be finalized. The U.S. proposal would require Ukraine to hand over all profits from its natural resources until U.S. wartime aid is repaid in full, along with interest.

Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko emphasized that Kyiv would only issue a stance on the ongoing discussions once a consensus is reached, avoiding public discourse until then. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy agrees with the idea, he refuses to sign any potentially impoverishing agreements.

The deal, first reported by the Financial Times, includes a joint investment fund managed predominantly by the U.S., with no assurance of future security for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for a temporary Ukrainian government to usher in elections, as peace talks stall over Russia's demands.

(With inputs from agencies.)