Ukraine signed a memorandum of intent (MOI) regarding a mineral agreement amid pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump.
On the 17th (local time), Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, stated through X (formerly Twitter) that she signed the MOI as an initial step toward signing an agreement on mineral development.
Minister Svyrydenko noted, "We have signed a memorandum of intent that will open opportunities for establishing an economic partnership with the United States and creating a reconstruction investment fund," adding, "I hope the reconstruction fund will be an effective tool for attracting investments to create new economic opportunities."
Earlier, Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, mentioned, "The United States proposed to sign the MOI before reaching a comprehensive agreement on the mineral agreement."
As a result, there are observations that negotiations are progressing quickly and a final signature on the mineral agreement may occur soon.
President Trump said, "It will be signed next Thursday (the 24th)," while Minister of Finance Scott W. Besant revealed, "We aim to complete it by the 26th."
According to officials from Ukraine, the draft of the agreement reportedly includes provisions that do not consider U.S. aid as a liability for Ukraine.