BBC: What the deal contains about rare minerals between the US and Ukraine

The BBC has seen a draft agreement, but not the final text.

Given this and public statements on both sides, the BBC has outlined seven main points.

No Ukrainian revenge against the US

Trump earlier demanded that Ukraine return $350 billion in aid he claims was offered by the US during the war, a condition Zelensky rejected. But Washington seems to have made a concession. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal said the agreement did not dictate that his country pay any alleged “borge”. Trump has described the deal as a victory for both his side, saying his country will take back “much more in theory” than the billions given to Ukraine by its predecessor Joe Biden.

U.S. stiffest Toon towards Putin

The language used by the US in announcing the deal is evidently tougher to Russia than usually happens by the Trump administration. A statement by the Treasury Department refers to “Russia's full-scale invasion” and adds that “no state or person who financed or supplied the Russian war machine will be allowed to benefit from the reconstruction of Ukraine”. This will encourage Kiev, which has called for more pressure on Russia in talks between Moscow and Washington discussing a possible ceasefire.

Oil and gas involved with minerals

Despite the fact that much of the discussion about the deal relates to Ukraine's mineral wealth, the agreement also includes provisions for new oil and gas projects, as well as relevant infrastructure. In all cases, resources remain owned by Ukraine, even though the United States will have common access. This is seen as a easing of Ukraine's stance, as it was not in previous drafts of the agreement, reports the report. BBC, broadcast Periscope.

No obstacle to Kiev's EU ambitions

Ukraine has long been aspiring to membership in the European Union, and accession talks officially began last June. In Kiev, there were some concerns that the agreement on resources could undermine Ukraine's ability to join the EU, if it gave US investors preferential treatment, as Kiev and Brussels already have a strategic partnership for early subjects.

But the text of the agreement says the United States accepts Ukraine's goal of joining the EU and the need for this agreement not to conflict with it. It is also said that if Ukraine should review the terms of the agreement due to additional “due to” as part of EU membership, then the US will agree to negotiate in confidence. In addition, Kiev says the US will support additional investment and technology transfers to Ukraine, including those from the EU and other countries.

Proceeds to be reinvested in Ukraine for 10 years

Another intriguing element of the deal is that, for the first decade of the investment fund in reconstruction, profits will be fully invested in Ukraine's” economy. This is potentially important if there is no financial benefit for the US for 10 years. Ukraine says it expects that any money entering the fund will go towards reconstruction of the country and new projects.

After this initial period, profits can be distributed among partners. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News that the agreement was a signal to the American people that “we have a chance to participate, receive some of the funds and weapons, compensation for them, and to be partners with the success of the Ukrainian people”.

An American Military Obligation On the Table Again

The US have named the agreement essential to sign if Ukraine continues to receive its military assistance. The first Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister, Yulia Svrydenko, who flew to Washington DC to sign the agreement, said she predicted the US would contribute new aid to the future, such as air defence systems.

This too would mark a change in Trump's strategy, which has been trying to lower military support for Ukraine since it returned to the White House. An unresolved question is what the war situation agreement will ultimately mean. The Kremlin has not yet responded to the deal.

US can leave anytime

There seems to be no concrete security guarantees from the US, something Ukraine and Europe have long pushed the White House to offer. Trump has long been reluctant to give up the same military engagement that Beden had made. Instead, his interest in continuing the course with US support for Ukraine is more significant, due to economic commitments defined in the deal. That means there will still be a fragility in connection with Ukraine's most important ally commitment. /Periscope/