US demands control of Gazprom pipeline in Ukraine, Reuters

Reuters reports that the United States is demanding that Ukraine hand over control of a Gazprom-owned gas pipeline that runs through Ukrainian territory into the European Union. The controversial clause is part of a draft agreement discussed during the first day of resource negotiations between US and Ukrainian officials in Washington on Friday.

Talks reportedly took place in a tense atmosphere due to what sources described as “maximalist” demands from the American side.

The draft also includes provisions for the US to receive privileged access to Ukraine’s mineral deposits. It further stipulates that all revenues from natural resource exploitation by Ukrainian state and private companies would be directed into a joint investment fund with the United States.

Despite its sweeping economic implications, the agreement does not include any security guarantees for Ukraine, according to Reuters. Kyiv has hired the US-British law firm Hogan Lovells to provide legal consultation on the deal.