Ukraine and the United States announced an economic deal after Donald Trump called on Kyiv to return billions of dollars in aid to Washington intended to counter Russian invasion.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a video posted on Platform X that “this collaboration provides the United States with an opportunity to invest in Ukraine, unlocking its economic potential, and to mobilize American resources, capital, and governance standards that will improve Ukraine’s investment environment and accelerate the country’s economic recovery.”
Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed to the Associated Press that the agreement was signed in Washington.
In a post on the X website, she noted: “Together with the United States, we are forming a fund that will attract international investment to our country.”
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal noted: “This is truly a strategic deal to create an investment partnership fund.
“This is a truly fair and beneficial international agreement on joint investments in the development and reconstruction of Ukraine between the governments of the United States and Ukraine.”
In February, Trump expressed a desire to gain access to Ukraine's rare earth metals as a condition for continued American support in the war, calling it compensation for the billions of dollars in aid the United States has provided to Kyiv.
But talks stalled after a tense Oval Office meeting between US and Ukrainian leaders, and agreement has proven difficult to reach since, straining relations between Washington and Kiev.
Mr Bessent told a White House cabinet meeting that the Trump administration was ready to sign the deal, but there was still much work to do.
“The Ukrainians decided last night to make some last-minute changes,” he said, when asked about news that Ukraine was ready to agree to the pact.
“We are confident that they will reconsider this. And we are ready to sign this afternoon if they do.”
He did not specify what changes Ukraine made at the last minute.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
