**U.S. and Ukraine Take Step Towards Economic Partnership with Minerals Deal**
The United States and Ukraine have made significant progress in talks on a minerals deal, which will be finalized soon. On April 17, Deputy Prime Minister and Economic Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko announced that the two countries had signed a memorandum of understanding on the deal.
According to Svyrydenko, the agreement will create opportunities for significant investments, infrastructure modernization, and a mutually beneficial partnership between Ukraine and the United States. The agreement has been in the works for several months and has been a point of contention between Ukraine and the U.S.
**Trump’s Involvement**
U.S. President Donald Trump said on April 17 that the minerals deal would be signed on April 24. This move is seen as an attempt by Trump to use the deal as a signal that the U.S. stands with Ukraine as an economic partner. The agreement could also incentivize Russia to negotiate an end to its war against Ukraine.
“We have a minerals deal, which I guess is going to be signed on Thursday, next Thursday,” Trump said during a press conference with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the White House.
**Impact on Russia**
The signing of the minerals deal could have significant implications for Russia. As U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted, the agreement could incentivize Russia to negotiate an end to its war against Ukraine. However, it’s unclear whether this would be a viable option for Russia at this point in time.
**Ukrainian Perspective**
From the Ukrainian perspective, the minerals deal is seen as a positive step towards a joint Economic Partnership Agreement with the United States. The agreement will allow Ukraine to access significant investments and infrastructure modernization, which could have a major impact on the country’s economy.
“It is important that we reaffirm through our agreements the desire of the American people to invest together with the Ukrainian people in a free, sovereign, and secure Ukraine,” Svyrydenko said.
**Conclusion**
The signing of the memorandum of understanding on the minerals deal marks an important step towards a joint Economic Partnership Agreement between the United States and Ukraine. The agreement could have significant implications for both countries, particularly if it leads to increased investment and infrastructure modernization in Ukraine. However, its impact on Russia remains unclear at this point in time.
As tensions continue to rise between Ukraine and Russia, the signing of this deal is a positive development that could lead to greater economic cooperation and stability in the region.
