Ukraine and the United States have signed a strategic agreement that gives the United States priority access to Ukrainian critical minerals such as lithium, titanium, graphite and rare earths. The agreement also provides for the creation of a joint Reconstruction Fund to support Ukraine’s economic recovery after the Russian invasion, Reuters reports.
According to Ukraine’s Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, the agreement does not provide for the transfer of ownership of mineral resources and does not create debt obligations to the US. At the same time, according to the terms, 50% of the revenues from new mineral projects will be allocated to the Reconstruction Fund.
However, experts warn that real profits from this deal may not appear for another decade. The main obstacles are the lack of detailed geological data, destroyed infrastructure, mine danger and lack of security guarantees for investors. About 40% of potentially valuable deposits are located in the territories occupied by Russia.
Nevertheless, Ukrainian officials consider the agreement a political breakthrough that strengthens US support and brings Ukraine closer to integration with the European Union.
