Ukraine, US near deal on natural resources fund as early as Wednesday: Report

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukraine is prepared to sign a natural resources deal with the US as early as Wednesday, according to media reports.

The agreement would establish a joint fund to manage investment in Ukraine’s mining, energy, and technology sectors, Bloomberg reported, citing a source familiar with the talks.

Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko is heading to Washington for the signing of the deal, the report said.

The draft document notes that the deal supports Kyiv’s EU aspirations and excludes previous US military aid from the fund. Only future assistance would count toward Washington’s contribution.

US President Donald Trump, frustrated by the lack of ceasefire progress in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, backs the deal as part of broader strategic efforts, while two technical documents defining the fund’s operation remain unfinished, according to the report.

A previous attempt collapsed after tensions between Trump and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Their recent meeting at the Vatican helped revive the talks. The US would have the first claim on profits under the new structure.