The signed mineral resources deal will not matter much if the war in Ukraine continues – NYT

Ukraine’s mineral resources deal with the U.S. won’t matter much if the war doesn’t end.

This is reported by The New York Times, citing sources.

According to the publication, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s attempt to include security guarantees in the agreement was rejected by the United States early in the negotiations. Nevertheless, Ukraine’s supporters still hope that the document might encourage U.S. President Donald Trump to view Ukraine “as more than just a money pit and an obstacle to better relations with Vladimir Putin.”

“In Washington, several of Ukraine’s allies breathed a sigh of relief, calling the deal a marked improvement over previous versions and a sign that Kyiv can work constructively with Trump,” the article states.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor said the deal is “a good sign for ceasefire negotiations,” while another former U.S. official noted that the agreement gives Trump “an economic stake in the country’s survival and stability.”

However, “some in Ukraine and abroad have viewed the deal as little more than an attempt by the U.S. to exploit Ukraine’s dependence on American weapons and financial support to gain control over valuable natural resources—without offering reliable guarantees in return.”