On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, Ukraine and the United States have inked a minerals deal. The agreement, heavily championed by U.S. President Donald Trump, grants Washington preferential access to Ukraine’s treasure trove of rare earth minerals.
This accord was signed in Washington following months of sometimes fraught negotiations, with uncertainty persisting until the last moment with word of an eleventh-hour snag.
The United States emerged as Ukraine’s largest military donor, pouring billions into its defense. Fast forward to today, and Trump’s administration has made it clear: America wants something in return. Rare earth minerals, critical for everything from electric vehicles to military tech, are the prize. Ukraine, rich in these resources, has reluctantly agreed to the deal after months of tense negotiations.
The agreement establishes a joint investment fund for Ukraine’s reconstruction, with promises of continued US support.
Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko wrote on X, “In addition to direct financial contributions, it may also provide NEW assistance – for example air defense systems for Ukraine.”
Ukrainian officials insist that the subsoil remains under their ownership, but skeptics wonder if this is just a veneer of sovereignty.
Trump’s peace proposals have been anything but conventional, including recognition of Russia’s claim to Crimea and other Ukrainian regions. While the minerals deal is separate from these negotiations, it reflects Washington’s broader approach to Ukraine and Russia.
