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
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City
Al-Qassam: We will postpone the handover of the body of the Israeli captive we found, which was scheduled for today, due to the occupation's violations
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation aircraft launch airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip
Netanyahu's office: At the end of the security consultations, the prime minister instructed the military to launch massive military strikes on the Gaza Strip immediately
President Aoun: We urge the activation of the monitoring committee, the cessation of hostilities, ongoing Israeli violations, attacks
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to US Envoy Morgan Ortagus: Southerners must be enabled to return to their homes and rebuild
Syrian sources: The Israeli occupation has begun withdrawing from the areas it infiltrated last night in the Quneitra countryside.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Massive bombings in eastern Gaza, the second within half an hour, and its sound was heard from central area.
Russian air defense units destroyed a drone that was heading toward Moscow.
Maduro: Tomorrow, a business meeting will be held bringing together hundreds of entrepreneurs from advanced Russian industries with hundreds of Venezuelan businesspeople.

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

Salam conveys to Ortagus goals behind any possible negotiations

US launches three strikes on 4 vessels in Eastern Pacific, kills 14

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

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Delta Air Lines flight lands at Harry Reid International Airport, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Las Vegas (AP)
Politics

Nearly 3,800 US flights disrupted amid ongoing government shutdown

FILE - The Amazon logo is pictured at the Amazon Robotic Sorting Fulfillment Center in Madison County, Miss., Aug. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Economy

Amazon to cut 30,000 jobs in largest layoff in company history

Eurofighter Typhoon Spain's Air Force fighter jets fly above the military parade marking 'Día de la Hispanidad', or Hispanic Day, in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (AP)
Politics

UK sells 20 Eurofighter jets to Türkiye in £8bln defense agreement

Smoke billows after drone strikes by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted the northern port in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, Sudan, May 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

RSF tighten El Fasher siege as Sudan risks fragmentation: Reuters

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