Kyiv/Washington D.C. – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday celebrated a newly signed economic partnership agreement with the United States, granting Washington access to Ukraine’s vast reserves of rare earth minerals in exchange for a substantial investment and the creation of a Ukraine-focused Reconstruction Fund.
Calling the agreement “truly an equal partnership,” Zelenskyy took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the deal, which he said would now be forwarded to Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, for ratification.
“We’ve made a deal. The signed document will be sent to the Verkhovna Rada for approval. We want no delays. Every one of our representatives performed well,” Zelenskyy posted, highlighting the importance of the moment.
According to the Ukrainian government, the agreement is expected to bring sweeping benefits, including large-scale investment, accelerated industrial modernisation, and crucial support for Ukraine’s post-war legal and economic recovery.
Unlike previous aid arrangements, the deal carries no debt burden for Ukraine. Instead, it establishes a Reconstruction Fund, aimed at injecting capital into the country’s economy and generating long-term domestic returns. The fund will support infrastructure, industry, and legal system reforms, ensuring both countries benefit economically from the partnership.
“The cooperation is really equal,” Zelenskyy stressed. “It opens up prospects for large investments in Ukraine and modernisation of our industry—and, more crucially, our legal system.”
Zelenskyy also described the agreement as the first tangible outcome of his Vatican City summit with U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this year. Although the accord was initially expected to be signed during Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington in February, that trip was cut short following a tense Oval Office meeting, delaying the agreement’s formalisation.
“President Trump and I made the most of every minute of our Vatican meeting. This agreement is the first concrete result of that historic conversation,” Zelenskyy said, thanking both negotiating teams for their efforts.
The U.S. Treasury Department confirmed the signing on Wednesday. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the pact as a step forward in the two nations’ broader cooperation.
“The United States is committed to helping facilitate the end of this cruel and senseless war,” Bessent said, referring to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The rare earth minerals in question are vital for advanced technologies, including defense systems, clean energy components, and semiconductors—sectors where U.S. demand has been rising.
The agreement represents not just economic cooperation but a deeper geopolitical alliance. With U.S. support continuing in both military and economic forms, Ukraine hopes the deal will help stabilise its war-stricken economy and lay the foundation for long-term reconstruction.
