**US and Ukraine Near Deal on Natural Resources**
The United States and Ukraine are close to a deal that will give Washington half of the country’s revenues from critical natural resources. US President Donald Trump said this would be a fair outcome.
“We’re going to get our money back because it’s just not fair,” Trump said at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on February 22.
The two countries have been working hard to finalize the details of the deal after Ukraine rejected an initial proposal. The rejection was due to concerns about security guarantees, which the new proposal does not include.
A draft of the revised proposal seen by the New York Times shows that the US would take a 100% financial interest in a joint investment fund with Ukraine. This fund would aim to reach $500 billion. However, it’s worth noting that the US has provided around $100 billion in aid to Ukraine since the start of the war.
Trump wants Ukraine to contribute to the fund until it reaches $500 billion, but this figure was not included in the original version of the deal. The Ukrainian president rejected the initial proposal, leading to a barrage of insults from Trump, who called him an “unelected dictator.”
**What’s at Stake**
The US deal currently on the table demands 50% of revenues from Ukraine’s natural resources, including critical minerals, oil, and gas. The new proposal would give the US a significant financial interest in Ukraine’s key infrastructure.
While the two countries are close to reaching an agreement, it remains unclear what specific security guarantees Ukraine will receive. Officials have indicated that they believe a deal will be reached soon, but the details of the agreement are still being finalized.
**Background**
The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia has seen significant military aid from the US and other Western countries. The US is seeking compensation for this aid in the form of access to Ukraine’s natural resources.