Trump: US-Ukraine minerals deal opens broad access to resources

US President Donald Trump said in an interview with Real America’s Voice that the agreement between the United States and Ukraine on minerals gives Washington broad access to Ukraine’s resources. He described the deal as very favorable for the US.

Trump noted that Ukraine is rich in fertile land and significant rare earth deposits. The potential value of the agreement could exceed $300 billion, he added.

The agreement establishes the Ukraine-US Recovery Investment Fund with 50/50 participation. The document consists of 12 articles. Ukraine will be represented in the fund by the Agency for Support of Public-Private Partnership under the Ministry of Economy, while the US side will be represented by the US International Development Finance Corporation. Zelensky signed the ratification law on May 12, and on May 13 the Verkhovna Rada supported in first reading amendments to the Budget Code to implement the minerals deal.

Trump also expressed caution about granting licenses for Patriot interceptor missile production to Ukraine. He said Washington must be very careful because such technologies are difficult to transfer and could be turned against the US. No agreement has been reached yet.

Meanwhile, The Atlantic reported that Zelensky asked Trump to arrange with Elon Musk for Ukraine to use the Starlink satellite communication system to control drones targeting Russian ballistic missile launch sites.