Ukraine Secures Historic Minerals Deal with the U.S. Amid Ongoing Conflict
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared the recently finalized minerals deal with the United States to be a historic milestone, emphasizing that the agreement has evolved into an equitable partnership aimed at transforming Ukraine's economic landscape. In his nightly address, he remarked on the substantial improvements made during the negotiation phase, which promises significant investments, modernization of industries, and enhancements to legal practices in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy attributed the success of the deal to a pivotal meeting with former President Donald Trump held at the Vatican during Pope Francis's funeral. He expressed optimism for future opportunities emerging from that encounter.
Ukrainian analysts have pointed out that Kyiv has managed to secure notable concessions despite Trump's assertions that Ukraine lacked leverage. Remarkably, Tymofiy Mylovanov, president of the Kyiv School of Economics, highlighted that the final agreement omitted a previous demand from Trump, which insisted that Ukraine repay prior military assistance in return for the deal. Mylovanov stated on social media, “Ukraine held the line. Despite enormous pressure, every overreaching demand was dropped. The final deal looks fair.”
In a somewhat muted reaction, the Kremlin did not comment directly on the agreement; however, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev claimed that it signified Trump's breakdown of the so-called Kyiv regime, suggesting that Ukraine would need to compensate for U.S. military aid with mineral resources.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent spoke with Fox Business Network, asserting that the agreement would demonstrate solidarity between the American and Ukrainian people to Russian leadership. He conveyed that this strong alignment positions President Trump to negotiate with Russia from a position of strength.
Additionally, the Trump administration is expected to approve its first military equipment sale to Ukraine since Trump assumed office, reflecting a potential revival of arms shipments spurred by the new mineral deal. The State Department has certified a proposed license to export over $50 million in defense hardware and services to Ukraine, which indicates a shift in U.S. policy that had previously paused Ukraine-directed military aid.
In light of these developments, the State Department also announced the appointment of Julie Davis, a seasoned foreign service veteran, to lead the U.S. embassy in Kyiv during this vital phase. Davis, now the U.S. ambassador to Cyprus, has a rich diplomatic background, having previously served in various significant roles including ambassador to Belarus and deputy ambassador to NATO. This transition follows the departure of Bridget Brink, and comes as the Trump administration intensifies efforts toward peace negotiations that some speculate are biased towards Moscow.
On the European front, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated that the European Union is in the process of preparing for a 17th round of sanctions against Russia, which he labeled as the primary barrier to peace in Ukraine. Barrot confirmed the EU's commitment to coordinating this new sanctions package with the United States, indicating that the bloc would not consider lifting existing sanctions until Russian forces have unconditionally withdrawn from Ukraine.
Meanwhile, on the ground in Ukraine, a Russian drone strike on Thursday caused significant destruction in Zaporizhzhia, injuring 14 individuals but fortunately resulting in no fatalities, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov. The governor clarified that earlier reports of a death had been erroneous; however, he did confirm that at least nine people required hospital treatment following the strike, which targeted residential areas and public infrastructure. Fedorov indicated that Russian forces had conducted multiple attacks on the city in a single day, exacerbating the humanitarian situation and ongoing tensions in the region.
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