**US and Ukraine to Resume Negotiations on Minerals Agreement**
The United States and Ukraine are set to begin a new round of talks in Washington next week over a minerals agreement that has been in the making for months. The negotiations, which will start on April 24, aim to finalize the deal that would establish a long-term economic partnership between the two countries.
According to Taras Kachka, Deputy Economy Minister and Trade Representative, several legal and technical questions still need to be resolved before the agreement can be finalized. “We are now working with our American legal teams and trying to remove many technical issues to narrow them down to the most sensitive ones that will require a political decision,” he said.
The talks follow the signing of a memorandum on April 17, which outlined plans for a joint reconstruction investment fund. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is expected to visit Washington on April 21 to meet with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and support the final phase of negotiations.
**Technical Discussions to Conclude by April 26**
Kachka emphasized that the technical discussions are expected to conclude by April 26, with the goal of signing the agreement shortly afterward. However, he noted that the constructiveness of the discussions will determine whether the timeline holds.
The minister also clarified that the deal does not involve converting previously provided U.S. aid into debt. Instead, the fund is designed to generate returns for both sides. “The United States, as one of the partners, will earn at least as much from the activities of this fund as the aid provided,” Kachka noted.
**Background and Analysis**
The minerals agreement has been a contentious issue in recent months, with a scheduled signing on February 28 being derailed by a heated exchange between President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Earlier this month, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said that the minerals deal would signal Washington’s enduring economic commitment to Ukraine and could serve as leverage to encourage Russia to engage in peace negotiations.
The agreement has been seen as a crucial step towards strengthening Ukraine’s economy, which has been severely impacted by the ongoing conflict with Russia.
**Conclusion**
The resumption of talks on the minerals agreement is a positive development for both the US and Ukraine. While challenges still lie ahead, the two sides appear to be making progress in their negotiations. The successful conclusion of this deal could have significant implications for the future of Ukraine’s economy and its relations with the West.
As Taras Kachka noted, “We are ready to show maximum efficiency, but the entire volume of documents we have is tens of pages long.” With determination and a willingness to work together, it is possible that the two sides can overcome their differences and reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
