Minerals deal: last-minute “snag” before signing – Reuters

A last-minute obstacle arose before signing an economic partnership (minerals) agreement between Ukraine and the United States, although the signing could still take place later today.

Reuters reported this on Wednesday, April 30, citing its own sources.

The publication writes that Ukraine is ready to sign the agreement with the United States, although a source familiar with the matter said that a last-minute "snag had appeared". Two more sources told Reuters that the signing could take place later today.

"But one source said the U.S. was pushing Ukraine to sign two additional documents as well as the main minerals deal and that Kyiv felt they were not ready yet," the material says.

Ukraine has achieved the cancellation of all requirements for the return of funds for military aid already received from the United States, according to a draft of the main minerals agreement, which Reuters has reviewed. In addition, the document states that Ukraine gives the US priority to new agreements on Ukraine's natural resources, but does not automatically transfer to Washington a share of Ukraine's mineral wealth or any of its gas infrastructure.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, on April 30, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that an agreement between the governments of Ukraine and the US on economic partnership and the creation of an investment fund for the reconstruction of Ukraine (an agreement on minerals) could be signed within the next 24 hours.

On April 28, Shmyhal suggested that there would be several partnership agreements between Ukraine and the US.

Shmyhal also reported on an agreement with the US that assistance provided before its signing would not be included in this agreement.