New York [US], April 18: "We are pleased to announce the signing, with our American partners, a letter of intent, paving the way for the Economic Partnership Agreement and the creation of the Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund," Yulia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine , wrote on social media. according to Reuters.
Ms. Svyrydenko did not provide any details about the memo. "There is still much work to be done, but the current pace and significant progress show reason to expect that this document will be very beneficial to both countries," she said.
A Ukrainian delegation arrived in Washington D.C. last weekend for talks after the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump came up with a new, more expansive deal. The initial framework agreement was agreed upon but has not yet been signed.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on April 17, President Trump said he expects the mineral deal with Ukraine to be signed on April 24.
Sitting next to President Trump in the Oval Office of the White House on April 17, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said "we are still working on the details" and that the signing could take place before April 25, according to Reuters.
"Basically, that's what we agreed to before. When the president was here, we had a memorandum. We get straight to the big issue and I think it's an 80-page deal and that's what we're going to sign," Bessent said.
The White House did not respond to a request for further details on the timing and content of the agreement, according to Reuters.
President Trump has pushed for an agreement that would give the U.S. privileged access to Ukraine's critical natural and mineral resources. He sees the U.S. access to Ukraine's vital natural and mineral resources as a return for military aid provided by Washington to Kyiv under former President Joe Biden.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper