Reconstruction Investment Fund deal must be ratified "as soon as possible" — Ukrainian lawmaker

Espreso correspondent Nataliia Starepravo reported the information.

Will the agreement on minerals bring the end of the Russian-Ukrainian war closer?  

“I believe that it will indeed contribute, because at the very least, it improves relations with the current administration of President Trump. We can already see a change in tone. We can already see that Trump is ready to sell weapons to Ukraine. We’re talking about 50 million, but I believe this is only the beginning. Judging by the statements of the finance minister and other members of Trump’s team, we see that the United States and the Trump administration are becoming increasingly supportive of Ukraine. And without the support of our main ally, it will be more difficult for us. Therefore, I believe that this does bring the end of the war closer,” Merezhko noted.

He also pointed out that the “economic interests” of the United States could become a “significant incentive for supporting Ukraine.”  

“In this case, when American business has relevant economic interests in Ukraine, which it will try to protect, this will also contribute to the overall support of Ukraine by the U.S. government. In this example, I believe this is a very positive phenomenon, at least from a political point of view,” the MP explained.

On further cooperation with European partners  

Oleksandr Merezhko also outlined how the agreement with the U.S. could affect further cooperation with European partners.  

“Today I listened very carefully to the Prime Minister’s speech, because I had certain questions I wanted to ask, and certain doubts, so to speak… In particular, I was concerned about our European partners, because both European journalists and our partners approached me and asked: what role can European companies play here? They say that Europe has also provided and continues to provide us with very significant economic and military-technical assistance. And today the Prime Minister said that this agreement, this arrangement, also provides for the possibility… In essence, we are inviting European partners and European companies to participate in the development of mineral resources in Ukraine. I think this is important, so I see such a prospect,” the MP said.

When could the agreement be ratified?  

“As for the date when this could be put to a vote for ratification, I don’t have an exact answer… Perhaps it could even be May 8. Although, you know, we live in a very dynamic, turbulent period, and there is no one hundred percent certainty. I believe we need to ratify it as soon as possible. Again, because it will strengthen our position in Washington and increase our influence on the United States,” Merezhko emphasized.

He also stressed that, for the ratification procedure, parliamentarians only need the document that will be submitted for consideration by the Verkhovna Rada. 

“So it’s only about this specific document, which was published on the Cabinet of Ministers’ website, and we will decide whether or not to ratify only this document,” Merezhko explained.

• On April 30, Ukraine and the United States of America signed an agreement to create the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund.