Ukraine exempted from repaying US debt under mineral agreement
Ukrainian Prime Minister Says Kyiv and Washington Agree U.S. Military Aid Will Not Be Included as Binding Debt in Minerals Agreement
According to a report by the English section of Webangah News Agency,citing Mehr News Agency and Sputnik,Denys Shmyhal,Ukraine’s Prime Minister,stated that during a meeting with Scott Besant,the U.S. Treasury Secretary, an agreement was reached ensuring that Washington’s aid to Kyiv would not be classified as binding debt under Ukraine’s rare minerals agreement.
Shmyhal wrote on his Telegram channel: “during an crucial meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant, we discussed an agreement between our countries. There has been good progress.”
He added: “Agreements were made stating that in this document (the minerals agreement), aid provided by the U.S. prior to signing will not be included. The Ukrainian side has outlined its red lines in this deal.”The agreement must align with European commitments, not contradict Ukraine’s constitution, and be approved by the Ukrainian parliament.
According to him,Ukraine has already generated $50 billion in revenue from frozen Russian assets. Additionally,a proposal was made to impose special duties on imports of Russian goods,with the proceeds transferred to Ukraine’s reconstruction fund.
On April 17, Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, stated that Washington and Kyiv signed a memorandum confirming their intention to finalize an agreement on Ukraine’s rare minerals.
The U.S. and Ukraine signed a extensive agreement on March 11, granting Washington access to Ukraine’s mineral resources. A Ukrainian technical team arrived in Washington on April 11 for consultations, and Svyrydenko claimed progress had been made in negotiations between the two sides.
