Ukraine will send a delegation to Washington this week to advance talks on a strategic agreement with the US over critical natural resources, First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on April 7.
According to Svyrydenko, the Ukrainian delegation will include representatives from the ministries of economy, foreign affairs, justice, and finance, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant said on April 3, that Ukrainian officials were expected to arrive in the United States by the end of this week or early next week. He also noted that Washington was "fully prepared" to finalise a resources agreement with Kyiv.
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office said on the same day that the two sides had yet to agree on a meeting date, as legal teams were still reviewing the draft agreement.
"The Ukrainian delegation will travel to Washington this week to move forward with negotiations on a strategic agreement with the United States regarding critical natural resources," Svyrydenko wrote on social media.
This follows earlier discussions where Ukraine rejected a U.S. draft proposal, citing insufficient investment and protection. The U.S. seeks access to Ukraine's substantial reserves of rare earth elements, including lithium and uranium, as compensation for its support during the conflict with Russia.
Ukrainian officials are cautious, aiming to avoid terms that might compromise their economic sovereignty or future European Union integration. President Zelenskyy has emphasized that Ukraine will not treat past U.S. aid as loans nor accept conditions threatening its EU aspirations.
The negotiations are complex, reflecting Ukraine's strategic importance in global mineral markets and the broader geopolitical dynamics.
By Aghakazim Guliyev
Source: caliber.az
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