**Ukraine Set to Send Delegation to US for Mineral Deal Talks**
Next week, Ukraine will send a delegation to Washington to begin talks on a new draft agreement that would grant the US access to Ukraine’s mineral resources. According to Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, the Ukrainian delegation will consist of representatives from various ministries, including economy, foreign affairs, justice, and finance.
The new US proposal still includes plans for a fund or joint investment between the two nations, which was also part of an earlier framework agreement. However, this new draft goes beyond the original framework, and it is unclear why the US opted to bypass the previous agreement in favor of a more comprehensive deal.
**A Deeper Dive into the Negotiations**
The long-running negotiation has strained ties between Kyiv and Washington. An attempt to finalize a framework agreement earlier this year was disrupted after a heated Oval Office meeting between US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and President Volodymyr Zelensky. Critics later slammed the leaked draft for potentially undermining Ukraine’s control over its natural resources.
Ukraine’s mineral wealth includes strategically important resources such as titanium, lithium, and uranium, all crucial for US industries like aerospace and nuclear power. The new draft agreement has raised concerns about how much control Ukraine will retain over its resources.
**What’s at Stake**
Analysts who reviewed the leaked document suggest that Kyiv’s role in managing the fund would be minimal. This is a point Ukraine hopes to address during negotiations. Svyrydenko emphasized that Ukraine is focused on ensuring the final agreement aligns with its strategic interests.
“It’s not just about the minerals, it’s about our sovereignty and control over our resources,” said Svyrydenko in an interview with the Associated Press. “We want to make sure that any deal we sign is one that reflects our national interests.”
**What’s Next**
Ukraine plans to assemble a technical team to define its red lines and core principles ahead of talks with the US in Washington next week. The latest draft includes more specifics on the proposed fund’s structure, but it remains unclear how much control Ukraine will retain.
As negotiations begin, one thing is clear: Ukraine is determined to ensure that any agreement reached aligns with its national interests and maintains control over its valuable mineral resources.
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