The United States and Ukraine have signed a long-anticipated agreement to establish the United States–Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, granting the U.S. access to Ukrainian rare earth minerals, both governments announced Wednesday.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the deal as a clear message to Russia, reaffirming the Trump administration’s support for a free and prosperous Ukraine. “No one who supported Russia’s war machine will profit from Ukraine’s reconstruction,” he stated.
Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko celebrated the agreement on X, highlighting its potential to attract global investment.
In a video statement, Bessent described the partnership as a means to inject American investment and standards into Ukraine’s economy, accelerating its recovery and growth.
The signing had faced delays, with both sides disagreeing on timing. The U.S. insisted on signing both the mineral resources and investment fund agreements simultaneously, while Ukraine initially intended to finalize them separately. Ukrainian officials cited last-minute U.S. requests as the cause of the holdup, though Bessent countered that the U.S. had been ready to sign and Ukraine introduced unexpected changes.
President Trump acknowledged the substantial U.S. support already provided to Ukraine and expressed hope the agreement would soon yield results. Plans to sign the deal earlier in the year were postponed following a tense Oval Office exchange between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
