The new version of the resource deal contains no security guarantees for Ukraine – NYT

The latest version of the mineral resources deal between the United States and Ukraine still does not include any mention of security guarantees for Kyiv.

This information reported according to The New York Times.

The newspaper reports that a Ukrainian delegation recently visited the U.S. for another round of technical negotiations on the mineral deal. The delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Economy Taras Kachka, who is responsible for trade, and included representatives from the Ministries of Economy and Justice.

According to NYT, the new draft repeats all of Washington’s previously proposed tough conditions:

• Ukraine must repay the U.S. billions of dollars received in military and financial aid during the war;

• Ukraine must allocate half of the profits from resource extraction to a fund controlled by the U.S.;

• The U.S. demands to withdraw all profits from that fund until Ukraine repays all wartime aid — plus 4% annual interest;

• The fund would have priority rights to mineral extraction and infrastructure investments in Ukraine.

Just two days ago, Bohdan Kytsak, a Member of Parliament from the Servant of the People party, announced that Ukraine had rejected the new version of the resource agreement proposed by the American side.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that Ukraine has already begun spending millions from its budget on preparations related to the mineral agreement — despite the deal not being finalized.