U.S. minerals deal will not derail Ukraine’s EU accession, says Brussels

The Chief Spokesperson for the European Commission, Paula Pinho, said this at a briefing in Brussels on May 2, according to a European Pravda correspondent. 

The chief spokesperson of the European Commission said that the minerals agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. takes into account Ukraine's EU accession plans and EU legislation. Paula Pinho emphasized that they welcomed the deal reached the previous day, highlighting that it clearly considers the EU accession process and relevant EU laws, which are of key importance.

She added that this was something they had discussed with their Ukrainian counterparts. They understood that it was also in Ukraine’s interest to ensure the agreement would not hinder possible future EU accession, which is why it was important to highlight this point.

• Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Merezhko believes that the agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. on the creation of a Reconstruction Investment Fund will strengthen Ukraine’s position and says that the document needs to be ratified "as soon as possible."
• Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal commented on the agreement between Ukraine and the United States regarding the creation of the Reconstruction Investment Fund, saying it is "mutually beneficial."