**Ukraine Refuses to Sign Minerals Deal with US if it Threatens EU Membership**
President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Ukraine will not sign a minerals deal with the US if it threatens the country’s accession to the European Union. This statement comes after details of a new draft of the mineral agreement between Kyiv and Washington emerged.
**US Proposal Sparks Concerns in Ukraine**
The latest version of the agreement proposed by the US includes terms that would grant Washington unprecedented control over Ukraine’s natural resources through a joint investment fund. Ukrainian online newspaper Yevropeiska Pravda reported that this deal may contradict Ukraine’s EU accession due to severe restrictions affecting the country’s economic sovereignty.
**Zelensky Speaks Out Against Deal**
The President of Ukraine emphasized that the Constitution makes it clear that the country is on course for EU membership. He stated, “Nothing that could threaten Ukraine’s accession to the EU can be accepted.”
**Deal Delayed After Previous Dispute**
The US initially planned to sign the agreement on February 28 but delayed the process after a heated dispute between President Donald Trump and Zelensky at the White House.
**Previous Versions of the Deal**
According to initial reports, the agreement would establish a fund where Ukraine would contribute 50% of proceeds from the future extraction of state-owned resources. The version approved earlier by Kyiv does not include security guarantees but mentions that the fund will be reinvested annually in Ukraine to promote safety, security, and prosperity.
**Ukraine Will Consider Deal**
Zelensky stated that he will consider the new deal only when there are no relevant legislative threats. He also suggested that lawyers compare all versions of the deal and provide their assessment.
**US Goals for Minerals Deal**
The White House has described the minerals deal as a mechanism for the US to “recoup” some of the financial aid it has provided to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion.