The U.S. has proposed Ukraine a new critical minerals and energy assets deal that stepsup demands and offers no security guarantees in return, the Financial Times reported.
Ukrainian officials speaking to FT labeled the draft deal as ‘unfair’ and a ‘robbery,’ adding that Kyiv is unlikely to agree to the new terms.
According to the newspaper, the new proposal, sent to Kyiv on Sunday, “goes well beyond an initial joint economic accord hammered out last month.”
“The draft deal marks a dramatic escalation of the Trump administration’s efforts to seize control of Ukraine’s lucrative natural resources as it presses to bring the conflict to an end,” FT writes.
The new deal would go beyond the initially discussed rare earths to include all mineral resources, including oil and gas, across the entire Ukrainian territory.
In addition, under the new terms, Kyiv would have to pay a 50% cut of future profits not just from mineral resources, but also from projects carried by the Ukrainian government itself, as well as state-owned organizations or companies approved by Kyiv.
According to FT, the deal also covers infrastructure connected toexploiting natural resources, such as roads, railways, pipelines, ports and processing plants.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remained cautious when commenting on the terms in Paris on Thursday, saying that he does not want Washington to think Kyiv was against the deal.
He added that the U.S. is “constantly” changing the terms of the agreement.
Efforts to sign the previous framework for the U.S.’s exploitation of Ukraine’s natural resources imploded after a disastrous White House meeting between Zelensky and Trump.
According to FT, Kyiv has brought on a team of legal experts to help the government prepare the counteroffer.
According to the newspaper, the new proposal, sent to Kyiv on Sunday, “goes well beyond an initial joint economic accord hammered out last month.”
“The draft deal marks a dramatic escalation of the Trump administration’s efforts to seize control of Ukraine’s lucrative natural resources as it presses to bring the conflict to an end,” FT writes.
The new deal would go beyond the initially discussed rare earths to include all mineral resources, including oil and gas, across the entire Ukrainian territory.
In addition, under the new terms, Kyiv would have to pay a 50% cut of future profits not just from mineral resources, but also from projects carried by the Ukrainian government itself, as well as state-owned organizations or companies approved by Kyiv.
According to FT, the deal also covers infrastructure connected toexploiting natural resources, such as roads, railways, pipelines, ports and processing plants.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remained cautious when commenting on the terms in Paris on Thursday, saying that he does not want Washington to think Kyiv was against the deal.
He added that the U.S. is “constantly” changing the terms of the agreement.
Efforts to sign the previous framework for the U.S.’s exploitation of Ukraine’s natural resources imploded after a disastrous White House meeting between Zelensky and Trump.
According to FT, Kyiv has brought on a team of legal experts to help the government prepare the counteroffer.
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