The signing of a framework agreement on the use of critical mineral resources between Ukraine and the United States is at risk of being derailed at the last minute, with the Ukrainian delegation already en route to Washington.

Source: Financial Times (FT), as reported by European Pravda

Details: The FT reported that when a plane carrying Yuliia Svyrydenko, Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister, was en route to the US, representatives of US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's team told her she should "be ready to sign all agreements, or go back home".

Two Ukrainian officials stated that Washington insists that both the framework agreement and a separate, more detailed agreement on an investment fund to manage the mineral revenues be signed simultaneously.

A source familiar with the US stance told the FT that talks on the deal had stalled after Ukraine supposedly attempted to "revisit terms" of the document agreed upon over the weekend.

Kyiv told the FT that the US information was inaccurate, emphasising that Ukraine could not sign both documents on Wednesday 30 April, as the fund agreement must first be ratified by the Ukrainian parliament before it can be signed.

Earlier on Wednesday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that Kyiv is prepared to sign all agreements needed to establish an economic partnership with the US, beginning with the framework agreement.

"As soon as all the final details are worked out, which I hope will happen within the next 24 hours, the agreement will be signed and we will take the first step. This agreement will be followed by the signing of two additional agreements – technical and executive – covering the establishment of the fund, its financing, and its operations," he said.

Read also: Speedy deal, strategic gains: inside the US-Ukraine mineral agreement timeline

Background:

• Previously, Shmyhal also announced that a framework agreement on critical mineral resources with the United States could be signed within 24 hours.
• On 17 April, Ukraine and the United States signed a memorandum of intent to "finalise a formal agreement on economic partnership and a reconstruction investment fund".

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