US, Ukraine sign resources deal two months after Oval Office clash over war aidBy Brad Ryan in Washington DCTopic:World Politics2h ago2 hours agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 10:09pmScott Bessent and Yulia Svyrydenko signed the deal in Washington DC. (X: US Treasury Department)In short:The Ukrainian and American governments have signed a deal that will allow the US to benefit from the war-torn country's critical mineral deposits.The deal "includes no provisions regarding any Ukrainian debt obligations" to the US, Ukraine's Deputy PM says.Donald Trump had been threatening to pull American support for Ukraine, but the US says the deal sends a message about the Trump administration's commitment to a "free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine".abc.net.au/news/usa-ukraine-russia-invasion-reconstruction-deal/105236892Link copiedShareShare articleThe US and Ukraine have signed an agreement to fund the reconstruction of the war-torn country, two months after an earlier deal was shelved when the nations' leaders clashed at the White House.The two countries have for weeks been discussing a deal that would see the US develop, and profit from, Ukraine's critical minerals deposits. US President Donald Trump had previously described that deal as a way for Ukraine to pay back the US for the military aid it has provided since Russia's 2022 invasion.It is not clear how closely this deal resembles the agreement Mr Trump and Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy were set to sign before the infamous Oval Office showdown in February.Volodomyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump spoke in the Vatican before Pope Francis's funeral on the weekend. (Reuters: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service)The new deal will establish a jointly-managed reconstruction fund, financed by new mineral, oil and gas projects in Ukraine. It includes "no provisions regarding any Ukrainian debt obligations to the United States", Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said. But it provides an economic incentive for the US to continue its defence of Ukraine. Big moments from Trump's first 100 daysPhoto shows Donald Trump sits in front of gold curtains.Donald Trump's first 100 days back in the White House have been extraordinarily eventful. Here's some of what you might have missed.Ms Svyrydenko, who signed the deal in Washington, said Ukraine would retain full ownership and control of its resources. "It is the Ukrainian state that determines what and where to extract," she wrote on X.The deal "allows both countries to expand their economic potential through equal cooperation and investment," Ms Svyrydenko said.The US has provided tens of billions of dollars in aid since Russia's invasion. But the relationship has been strained since the inauguration of Mr Trump, who promised during the election campaign to end the war in a day.Mr Trump has described Mr Zelenskyy as a "dictator" and a "salesman", and criticised him for not agreeing to cede territory to Russia. After February's Oval Office clash, the US temporarily suspended security assistance and intelligence sharing.Ukrainians remember a friend who was killed in a Russian missile strike in Kyiv earlier this month. (Reuters: Thomas Peter)In March, Mr Trump spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone, but his proposal for a 30-day ceasefire — accepted by Mr Zelenskyy — was rejected by Mr Putin.In a statement after the deal was signed on Wednesday, local time, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said it was a sign of the Trump administration's commitment to a "peace process centred on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine over the long term".Trump is good at moments that look historic Photo shows Two men sitting on chairs in a churchDonald Trump has made big promises on Russia's war in Ukraine but he's becoming an impatient broker."And to be clear, no state or person who financed or supplied the Russian war machine will be allowed to benefit from the reconstruction of Ukraine," he said.The US Treasury said the reconstruction fund would recognise "the significant financial and material support that the people of the US have provided to the defence of Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion".Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Bessent said the US was ready to sign the deal but Ukraine wanted to make some last-minute changes. "We're sure that they will reconsider that," he said.Posted 2h ago2 hours agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 10:09pm, updated 7m ago7 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 12:16amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesThe strange 'ballot-fellows' revealed on parties' how-to-vote cardsTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows green how to vote cards in the background with a text box that says enter your suburbDutton turns to Voice as cost of living alone won't save the CoalitionDAnalysis by David SpeersPhoto shows Anthony Albanese NPC for Speers ColumnPeter Dutton drops vow to change school curriculum, after 'indoctrination' claimsTopic:Public SchoolsPhoto shows Dutton looks down the barrell of the camera.Hackers have 'compromised' almost 100 bank employees, experts sayTopic:Cyber CrimePhoto shows A generic graphic image including a gold dollar sign and some websites.PM admits he's nervous about Saturday's election, despite polling boost for LaborLIVEPhoto shows Anthony Albanese smiling with several cameras behind him.Related storiesTrump meets Zelenskyy at pope's funeral, then blasts Putin on social mediaTopic:World PoliticsPhoto shows Two men sitting on chairsZelenskyy accuses US of 'constantly changing' minerals dealTopic:WarPhoto shows A man speaking. 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