LONDON – A draft agreement expected to be signed on April 30 outlines plans for the United States to receive preferential access to future Ukrainian natural resource deals, but stops short of granting direct ownership or control over Ukraine’s mineral wealth or gas infrastructure.
According to the draft reviewed by Reuters, the deal includes the establishment of a joint U.S.-Ukrainian reconstruction fund, which will receive 50% of profits and royalties from newly issued natural resource permits. Importantly, any future U.S. military assistance to Ukraine will be credited as a contribution to the fund.
While the agreement outlines U.S. preference for future exploration and investment opportunities, it does not extend to existing licenses or Ukraine’s strategic gas infrastructure—assets that had been included in earlier versions of the deal, sources familiar with the talks said.
The draft omits earlier provisions that would have allowed the United States to control the fund’s expenditures and potentially collect royalties directly. It also does not clarify how the fund’s revenue will be used or who will oversee its management and spending decisions.
Though this version of the deal appears less sweeping than earlier proposals, it still marks a significant step in linking U.S. support to Ukraine’s long-term resource development.