The United States will not drive the obligations of Ukraine linked to its European Union membership process in the next UKRAINE US mineral agreement, according to an “intention protocol” seen by Euronews.
According to the document of a page, signed by the first Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yulia Svyrydenko, and the US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday evening, a series of key negotiations should take place in Washington between April 21 and 26.
“The United States respects Ukraine's intention to avoid conflicts in the drafting of the agreement with the obligations of Ukraine under the membership of the European Union or agreements with international financial institutions and other official creditors,” said the document.
In early April, Ukraine sought to reassure Brussels that it would not move away from its membership offer following negotiations with the United States.
“It should be a partnership agreement, therefore in equal conditions for both parties,” said Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal during a visit to Brussels.
These insurances came after a version of the mineral agreement, circulating at the end of March and disclosed to the press, relive the fears to derail the country's ambitions to join the block.
What is in the agreement?
The United States-Ukraine-proposed mineral agreement focuses on joint development and investment in Ukraine natural resources, including critical minerals such as lithium, graphite and uranium.
The agreement aims to establish a reconstruction investment fund to support the resumption of Ukraine after the war in exchange for access to the United States to the Ukrainian key infrastructure and a share of profits.
