**Ukraine and US Take Major Step in Economic Cooperation**
A joint investment fund between Ukraine and the United States could be operational by the end of 2025, according to Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. This fund is a crucial part of the two countries’ mineral resources agreement, which gives the US special access to Ukraine’s vast reserves of strategic minerals like lithium, titanium, and rare earth elements.
**Key Components of the Agreement**
The Reconstruction Investment Fund will be managed jointly by the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and Ukraine’s Public-Private Partnerships Agency. While details are still scarce, the fund is expected to play a significant role in Ukraine’s post-war recovery. Ukrainian officials have expressed concerns about potential exploitation of their resources, but negotiations with Washington led to the removal of controversial provisions.
**Ukrainian Parliament Approves Amendments**
The Ukrainian parliament has approved necessary amendments to the Budget Code, allowing national revenue streams like rent payments and production-sharing revenues to be redirected to the fund. President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the ratified minerals agreement on May 12, followed by two additional operational agreements on May 13.
**Future US Military Aid Could Contribute to Fund**
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has suggested that future US military assistance could count as contributions to the fund. However, past aid would not be included. This development signals a new phase in US-Ukraine economic cooperation despite lacking explicit security guarantees from Washington, which was a key priority for Kyiv.
**A New Era in Economic Cooperation?**
The launch of this joint investment fund marks an important step forward in Ukraine and the United States’ economic relationship. It demonstrates their commitment to working together on shared priorities like post-war recovery and strategic mineral development. As we look ahead, it’s essential to monitor how this partnership unfolds and what benefits it brings to both nations.
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