The United States and Ukraine have signed the long-standing critical minerals agreement following months of intensive negotiations, the U.S. Treasury Department announced on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the two countries finalized the establishment of the United States–Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund on April 30. The agreement aims to accelerate Ukraine’s economic recovery through joint investment initiatives, underscoring Washington’s extensive financial and material support to Kyiv since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
The Treasury Department and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation will coordinate with the Ukrainian government to finalize the governance structure of the fund.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent credited President Donald Trump’s involvement in the agreement process. “Thanks to President Trump's tireless efforts to secure a lasting peace, I am glad to announce the signing of today’s historic economic partnership agreement,” Bessent said.
Thanks to @POTUS @realDonaldTrump’s tireless efforts to secure a lasting peace, I am glad to announce the signing of today’s historic economic partnership agreement between the United States and Ukraine establishing the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund to help… pic.twitter.com/N1jPa35DYh
— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) April 30, 2025
The statement added that both governments intend to operationalize the fund swiftly for the mutual benefit of the Ukrainian and American people.
Ukraine’s Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed the agreement in a social media post, expressing gratitude to both countries' leaders and those involved in the negotiations.
She said the agreement lays the foundation for a successful bilateral partnership and clarified that the fund is structured as a 50/50 venture, reflecting equal participation from both governments. Ukraine will retain full ownership of its natural resources within its territory and territorial waters, and the Ukrainian government will decide where and how to carry out extraction activities.
Thanks to the leadership and agreements between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Donald Trump, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessant and I signed the agreement between Ukraine and the United States to establish the United States–Ukraine-Ukraine Reconstruction… pic.twitter.com/SOoeLv3HJw
— Yulia Svyrydenko (@Svyrydenko_Y) April 30, 2025
The fund is designed to attract international investment, particularly in the fields of critical raw materials, oil and gas, and related infrastructure or recycling initiatives. Svyrydenko emphasized that investments will be limited to Ukrainian territory.
Svyrydenko noted that one key provision of the agreement stipulates that only revenues from new licenses will be included in the fund. Existing projects and pre-budgeted revenues are excluded. Ukraine will allocate 50% of the revenue from newly issued licenses to the fund and may provide additional contributions if necessary.
The United States will also make contributions, which may come in the form of direct funding or indirect support such as the provision of air defense systems to Ukraine, she added.
Svyrydenko underlined that the fund is intended to foster equal economic cooperation and enhance both countries’ long-term economic potential. She also clarified that, despite earlier discussions, the agreement does not include any reference to Ukraine’s debt obligations to the U.S.
In her closing remarks, Svyrydenko said the agreement highlights the United States’ long-term commitment to Ukraine’s security, recovery, and reconstruction.