Trump hails Ukraine mineral deal as US secures access to key resources

US President Donald Trump has praised a newly signed economic cooperation agreement with Ukraine, saying the United States will receive “much more” than it invests under the deal, which grants access to Ukraine’s mineral wealth.

Speaking after the agreement – known as the Ukraine Subsoil Agreement – was finalized, President Trump told reporters that the US had agreed to a framework where “theoretically we will get much more than $350 billion, but I wanted to be safe.” He cited the figure as the amount his predecessor, Joe Biden, gave Ukraine in military and financial aid.

When asked whether the deal might deter Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump replied simply: “It could.”

He revealed that he discussed the potential agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting at the Vatican before Pope Francis’ funeral. “It would be great if you signed it,” Trump recalled saying, noting that “Russia is much bigger and stronger.”

Under the terms of the agreement, the US will gain access to Ukraine’s subsoil resources – including valuable minerals such as lithium and titanium – though ownership and control of the resources will remain with Ukraine.

The deal also establishes a Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, jointly managed by the US and Ukraine, with a 50/50 governance structure ensuring no single party holds a dominant vote.

Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister, Yuliia Svyrydenko, emphasized that the agreement did not affect the ownership or management of state enterprises. “National property is protected,” she said. “There will be no changes to privatization or to the status of companies such as Ukrnafta or Energoatom, which remain state-owned.”

The agreement must still be ratified by Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, before taking full legal effect.