Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Trump seals Ukraine deal granting US access to rare earth minerals

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 1 May 2025 11:14
5 Min Read

The Ukraine-US minerals deal ties rare earth access to continued American aid, signaling strategic conditions for future US support.

Listen
  • x
  • Trump-driven Ukraine-US minerals deal sealed
    In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, right, and US President Donald Trump, talk as they attend the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025, before the Ukraine-US minerals deal. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

The Ukraine-US minerals deal, heavily promoted by US President Donald Trump, was officially signed on Wednesday, granting Washington preferential access to Ukrainian natural resources and supporting post-war reconstruction efforts.

After months of tense negotiations, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko signed the agreement in Washington. The deal reportedly creates a joint investment fund intended to finance Ukraine’s recovery, while also securing American involvement in future rare earth minerals projects.

The deal coincides with Trump’s attempts to broker a peace settlement in the three-year war in Ukraine. While the minerals deal and US peace proposals are being handled separately, both reflect Washington’s broader strategy toward Eastern Europe.

According to the US Treasury, the partnership "recognizes the significant financial and material support that the people of the United States have provided to the defense of Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion."

Trump seeks strategic returns of aid through the Ukraine-US minerals deal

Trump reiterated Wednesday that the United States should see tangible returns for the more than $72 billion in military aid already sent to Ukraine since 2022. The Ukraine-US minerals deal helps deliver that by granting US firms access to Ukraine's vast reserves of strategic resources.

Ukraine, rich in natural resources such as iron, uranium, natural gas, and rare earth metals, is seen as a crucial player in diversifying global supply chains currently dominated by China.

Svyrydenko claimed that the agreement respects Ukrainian sovereignty. “Ukraine will determine what and where to extract,” she said, adding that all subsoil resources remain under national ownership.

She also alleged that the accord allows Washington to contribute to Ukraine's reconstruction fund and possibly provide additional military assistance, such as air defense systems, although this has not been formally confirmed by the US side.

Key points in the Ukraine-US minerals deal

Related News

Pro-'Israel' Democrats breaking with Netanyahu amid Gaza war

Cholera devastates Darfur region amid conflict, US aid cuts

One of the key sticking points in the negotiations was Ukraine’s firm stance against any repayment obligations. Svyrydenko said that Kiev will not incur debt under the agreement, aligning with the country’s constitutional and European Union integration commitments.

While a draft of the agreement removed any requirement for Ukraine to repay past US military aid, it does not include new security guarantees, a major goal for Ukraine at the outset of discussions.

Trump’s peace proposals, viewed as controversial, have included recognizing Russia’s claim to Crimea and possibly four other regions, a move Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected as unconstitutional.

In parallel, Ukraine has initiated talks with European partners about forming an international force to guarantee national security in the event of a peace settlement.

“Importantly, the Agreement sends a signal to global partners that long-term cooperation with Ukraine – over decades – is not only possible but reliable,” Svyrydenko wrote on X.

Medvedev slams Trump over deal

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev issued a sharp critique of US President Donald Trump on International Workers’ Day, targeting deal and Washington’s escalating trade policies.

In a post on his official Telegram channel, Medvedev mocked the White House’s economic strategy, saying Trump deserved an award “for valiant labor” during his first hundred days in office, particularly for what he called the launch of a new tariff war.

Medvedev: Ukraine paying for US aid with natural resources

Referring to the minerals agreement between Washington and Kiev, Medvedev accused the Trump administration of turning Ukraine into a resource colony in exchange for military support. “Trump did manage to finish off the Kiev regime by making it pay for American aid with natural resources,” he wrote, calling Ukraine a "vanishing country" now forced to give up its national wealth.

Medvedev also ridiculed the broad scope of US tariffs, suggesting they had damaged global partners across Europe and the UK. “Close neighbors are suffering, degenerates in Foggy Albion are weeping, and mad old Europe is losing its mind,” he wrote, adding that Western governments were now scrambling to appease Washington under what he mockingly referred to as a “ritual deal”.

He contrasted the US approach to China, noting Beijing’s economic resilience, “China has vast resources and a massive domestic market, so its economy will undoubtedly withstand any pressure. That’s where Trump miscalculated.”

Response to sanctions and political climate in Washington

The top Russian figure downplayed the effect of new US tariffs on Russia, stating that Moscow already faces tens of thousands of sanctions. He also referenced ongoing legislative efforts in the US to impose new measures, saying, “The US Senate, led by Republicans, is preparing yet another round of crushing sanctions against us.”

Touching on domestic US politics, Medvedev stressed that Trump’s approval ratings were slipping and that the so-called "deep state" continued to resist his administration's policies.

Medvedev concluded his statement with a defiant tone, noting that May began “with a bang,” and predicted further confrontations ahead, including around the upcoming Victory Day celebrations. “Happy holiday! Happy May 1st!” he wrote.

  • United States
  • Ukraine Mineral Deal
  • rare earth minerals
  • Russia
  • Ukraine-US minerals deal
  • war in Ukraine
  • Ukraine
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS