Ukraine, U.S. Ink Mineral Resources Memorandum, Path Cleared for Major Economic Partnership

Kyiv and Washington have taken a major step toward forging a strategic economic partnership with the signing of a memorandum of intent to develop Ukraine’s vast mineral resources.

The agreement, promoted by U.S. President Donald Trump, aims to provide the United States with preferential access to Ukraine’s critical minerals. After months of delays following a heated Oval Office meeting between Trump and President Zelenskiy, both sides appear to be back on track. Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko called the memorandum a “gateway to deeper cooperation,” and confirmed that it will also contribute to an investment fund for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction.

President Trump, asserting the deal as compensation for past U.S. military aid, has said the full agreement—an 80-page economic compact—could be signed by next week. Meanwhile, Zelenskiy emphasized the positive direction of talks and called the memorandum a symbol of mutual intention, pending ratification by the Ukrainian parliament.