The US and Ukraine Sign a Strategic Mineral Extraction Agreement: An Economic Turning Point or a Geopolitical Chess Game?

On April 30, 2025, the US and Ukraine officially signed a historic agreement on cooperation in strategic mineral extraction, including lithium, titanium, uranium, oil, and gas – key materials for the defense industry, renewable energy, and high technology.

According to the agreement, the two countries will establish a Reconstruction Investment Fund with a 50/50 capital contribution ratio. Ukraine retains full control over the resources, while the US provides financial and technological support. Notably, all profits in the first 10 years will be reinvested into Ukraine's infrastructure and economic reconstruction – without debt obligations.

A noteworthy point: US companies will be prioritized for access to extraction, while Ukraine will contribute 50% of revenue from projects to the development fund. This is both an opportunity for economic recovery and a strategic move to reduce dependence on mineral resources from China and affirm the US's commitment to support in the face of threats from Russia.

However, this agreement is not without challenges: many mines are located in conflict zones in the East, extraction infrastructure is severely damaged, and geological data is still limited.

Will this be the key for Ukraine to rise from the ashes of war, or a strategic lever for the US in the global geopolitical game?