Ukraine and the United States signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of minerals and reconstruction: key points

On April 30, 2025, Ukraine and the United States of America signed an agreement that opens a new page in bilateral relations, in particular in the field of mineral extraction. The agreement provides for the creation of the Investment Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, which will become a platform for attracting global investments in the restoration and development of the Ukrainian economy.

The document was signed by the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko and US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. According to Svyrydenko, the agreement aims to ensure a mutually beneficial partnership between Ukraine and the United States, which includes not only economic cooperation, but also support in achieving long-term peace and stability in Ukraine. She also emphasized the importance of this agreement as a recognition of Ukraine's global contribution to security and stability in the world, in particular through the rejection of nuclear weapons.

The key provisions of the agreement are several important aspects that ensure Ukraine has full control over its own natural resources. Thus, all land and water property on the territory of Ukraine remains in the possession of the state, and Kyiv will independently determine where and what minerals to extract. In addition, the structure of the fund provides for an equal partnership between Ukraine and the United States, where both parties have equal weight in decision-making.

The agreement also clearly states that Ukraine’s national property will be protected. It does not provide for changes in the privatization processes or management of state-owned companies such as Ukrnafta or Energoatom. Thus, strategic assets remain under the control of the Ukrainian state. At the same time, the document does not contain any mention of Ukraine’s debt obligations to the United States.

The fund will be replenished exclusively from new licenses obtained for projects in the field of extraction of critical materials, oil and gas. According to the agreement, 50% of the revenues from new licenses that will be received by the budget after the creation of the fund will be directed to its replenishment. It is important to note that funds from already implemented or planned projects are not included in this fund.

Regarding the legal aspects, the agreement provides for only point changes in national legislation, in particular in the Budget Code. The agreement itself must be ratified by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Another important aspect is tax guarantees: the income and contributions of the fund will not be taxed either in Ukraine or in the United States, which should help attract the maximum amount of investment.

Overall, this agreement is an important step towards strengthening cooperation between Ukraine and the United States in strategic areas, including the energy sector and the recovery of the country's economy. It is expected that the fund will become a powerful tool for attracting investments and technologies from around the world, which will help Ukraine not only restore its infrastructure, but also contribute to economic development in the future.