“President Trump envisions this partnership between the American people and the Ukrainian people to demonstrate their commitment to lasting peace and prosperity in Ukraine,” Bessent added.
From weapon to entry
Unlike early defensive support, this new partnership enables economic participation hubs. The deal acquires Ukraine’s huge strategic mineral deposits in a core manner, such as titanium, uranium, lithium, graphite and manganese, which are crucial for aerospace, electric vehicles, medical tools and clean energy.
In return, Ukraine expects the fund to secure future U.S. investment and political signals of continued support.
“It’s really about building and restoring Ukraine’s co-investment between the U.S. and the Ukrainian government, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said in a national broadcast, “and it is really about building and restoring Ukraine’s co-investment between the Ukrainian government,” he stressed, “Ukraine retains full control of its subsoil, infrastructure and natural resources.”
Fixed fragile trust
Behind the scenes, the deal collapsed almost two months ago in a tense Oval Office exchange involving President Donald Trump, Vice President Judd Vance and Ukrainian President Vorodimir Zelenskyy. Trump criticized Zelensky severely, believing that he should ced Crimea to shorten the war. Recently, Trump turned his anger to President Vladimir Putin, blaming Russia’s new wave of attacks on sabotage negotiations. “The Ukrainians decided to make last-minute changes last night,” Bessent said at a cabinet meeting hours before the signing. “We’re sure they’ll rethink.
The final version of the agreement deals with Ukraine’s concerns. It ensures a 50-50 voting structure within the fund and excludes any obligation to repay previous U.S. military aid. The contribution to the fund will be cash and only new military aid will be counted. Importantly, it does not interfere with Ukraine’s ambition to join the EU.
Strategic priorities in U.S. policy
The deal marks a recalibration of U.S. foreign policy under Trump, which questioned the justification for continued U.S. military spending. Trump said of the news that the deal “theoretical” means that the U.S. will earn more from Ukraine than Ukraine. He added: “I want to be protected and I don’t want to be stupid because I didn’t make money for this investment.”
Shyhal welcomed the results and said in a telegram: “The fund’s profits will be reinvested only… [and] Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Ukraine will not demand any “debt” repayment for billions of US weapons and other support. ”
“With the United States, we are creating funds that will attract global investment,” Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko went to Washington to sign.
The agreement still requires approval from the Ukrainian parliament.
Russia holds its own position at the ceasefire booth
Moscow continues to send mixed signals to peace as Kiev and Washington move forward with their partnership. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia supports the ceasefire, but it is not without clarity.
“It is necessary to answer some questions and break down some nuances before they are done,” he said. “We realize that Washington wants to make rapid progress, but we want to understand that the Ukrainian crisis reconciliation is too complicated to be completed quickly.”
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Ukraine of accepting the ceasefire only because of setbacks on the battlefield.
Civilian casualties continue to rise
On the ground, the war continues to cause heavy losses. According to the United Nations, Ukrainian civilian casualties increased by 46% between April 1 and 24 compared with the same period last year.
The UN Human Rights Office reported 2,641 verified casualties in the first quarter of 2025, almost 900 more people than in 2024. Recently, Russia’s drone strike against Kharkif injured at least 45 civilians, highlighting the relentless pace of the conflict.
Ukraine also underwent a strike. On Wednesday, Kiev’s Security Agency claimed its drones targeted the MUROM instrument engineering plant in the Vladimir region of Russia. Ukrainian sources said the explosion and fire were reported, although the claims were not confirmed.
As military aid weakens, Ukraine is betting on investment and trade to survive. But Russia’s position remains the same: there is no peace agreement unless the West stops supporting it. With Trump’s long-term dividend in his participation in the United States, Ukraine is now walking a rope – balancing foreign interests, economic revival and its sovereignty.
As Washington and Kyiv advanced this mineral agreement, the world was watching what was coming: peace, profits – outbreaks.
