US, Ukraine Negotiate Minerals Deal to Boost Postwar Recovery

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has praised a pending minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine, emphasizing its potential to drive economic growth and recovery in Ukraine while protecting U.S. taxpayer interests. The deal, which builds on a concept proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, aims to establish a partnership that allows the U.S. access to Ukraine's natural resources, with revenue earmarked for reconstruction and development. Bessent has assured that the arrangement will not impose debt on Ukraine or transfer ownership of its assets to the U.S., differentiating it from other international economic strategies. However, negotiations continue over new proposals that would require Ukraine to allocate a significant portion of its mineral revenue towards a reconstruction fund. Ongoing discussions indicate that while the deal has the potential to support Ukraine’s postwar recovery, concerns over governance and the management of funds remain at the forefront of negotiations. The outcome could set a significant precedent for future international collaborations aimed at rebuilding nations affected by conflict.