**U.S. Finalizes Mineral Deal with Ukraine**
The U.S. has finished a minerals deal for Ukraine that could be signed as soon as next week. This was announced by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to Fox News on March 26.
Bessent said the completed document is being reviewed by Ukrainians and they hope to discuss it further and sign it next week. The initial plan was to sign the agreement on February 28, but it was delayed due to a disagreement between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
**Deal Details**
The minerals deal would establish a fund where Ukraine would contribute half of the profits from extracting state-owned resources like oil, gas, and logistics infrastructure. The version approved by Kyiv does not include security guarantees but states that the fund will be invested in Ukraine to promote its safety, security, and prosperity.
**Previous Discussions**
Trump had previously mentioned that Washington and Kyiv were discussing a deal where the U.S. would own a Ukrainian power plant. Zelensky later said they discussed U.S. assistance in restoring the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility.
The White House views this minerals deal as a way for the U.S. to recoup some of the financial aid it has provided to Ukraine since Russia‘s full-scale invasion began.