Ukraine and the United States signed a major agreement Wednesday, granting the United States access to its reserves of rare and strategically vital minerals.
Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko traveled to Washington to help finalize the agreement, which covers more than 20 raw materials critical to U.S. interests.
Among them are titanium—essential to aerospace manufacturing—and uranium, which is used in nuclear energy, medical applications, and weapons. Ukraine also holds reserves of lithium, graphite, and manganese, key components in electric vehicle battery production.
The agreement underwent revisions after Ukraine objected to an earlier U.S. draft it viewed as heavily one-sided. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said the updated proposal outlines a 10-year partnership based on equal contributions. A joint fund would be financed with cash, and only future U.S. military aid would be counted toward America’s share—assistance provided before the agreement’s signing would be excluded. Kyiv also ensured the new terms would not hinder its aspirations to join the European Union.
This article has been updated after the deal was signed.Â
