US and Ukraine sign minerals deal that solidifies investment in Kyiv’s defense against Russia

<p>Move seals a deal to create a fund the Trump administration says will begin to repay roughly $175bn provided to Ukraine</p><p>The US and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/ukraine">Kyiv</a> have signed an agreement to share profits and royalties from the future sale of Ukrainian minerals and rare earths, sealing a deal that Donald Trump has said will provide an economic incentive for the US to continue to invest in Ukraine’s defense and its reconstruction after he brokers a peace deal with Russia.</p><p>The minerals deal, which has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/17/what-are-ukraines-critical-minerals-and-why-does-trump-want-them">the subject of tense negotiations for months</a> and nearly fell through hours before it was signed, will establish a US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund that the Trump administration has said will begin to repay an estimated $175bn in aid provided to Ukraine since the beginning of the war.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/30/us-ukraine-minerals-deal-russia">Continue reading...</a>