**US and Ukraine Agree on Mineral Resources Deal**
After weeks of negotiations, the US and Ukraine have reached an agreement on a deal to develop Ukraine’s mineral resources. The Financial Times and Ukrainian media outlet Ekonomichna Pravda reported that the two countries have agreed on a deal that includes establishing a fund for investments in projects within Ukraine.
**Key Terms of the Deal**
The agreement will establish a 50/50 joint ownership fund with Ukraine and the US contributing equally to it. The fund will invest in projects related to oil, gas, and logistics. However, resources that already contribute to Ukraine’s state budget are excluded from the deal, including operations by Naftogaz and Ukrnafta.
**What’s Next**
The agreement still needs to be signed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha. Ukraine’s parliament will also have to ratify the deal. Specific details of the agreement will need to be finalized in future negotiations.
**Refugee Return Rate Declines**
The rate of refugees returning to Ukraine has declined, with many citing concerns about security and safety as a reason for not returning. The UN estimates that it may take at least a decade for Ukraine to recover from the damage caused by Russia’s invasion.
**Europe Announces Aid Tranche**
Ukraine will receive a new tranche of 3.5 billion euros ($3.7 billion) from the European Union in March, with the EU expected to provide Ukraine with 35 billion euros ($36 billion) in financial assistance under the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) credit initiative and the Ukraine Facility program.
**Ukraine’s Reconstruction Costs Estimated at $524 Billion**
The cost of reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine after three years of Russia’s full-scale invasion is estimated to be $524 billion over the next decade, according to the UN. This is 2.8 times higher than Ukraine’s nominal GDP for 2024.
**First Ukraine-Born Business Joins Global Entrepreneur Network**
Educational technology company Headway became the first Ukraine-born business selected to join Endeavor, a global network of entrepreneurs. The membership gives Headway access to Endeavor’s network and potential funding through Endeavor Catalyst.
**Ukraine Moves to Nationalize Oligarch-Owned Mining Company**
The Ukrainian government is preparing to nationalize Poltava Mining, a subsidiary of London-listed Ferrexpo, which is majority-owned by oligarch Konstantin Zhevago. The lawsuit seeks to transfer 49.5% of Poltava Mining and its assets to state ownership.