"Completely different document": Zelenskyy comments on new draft of "minerals deal" with U.S.

He made the statement during a press conference.

According to the president, today the Ukrainian side, namely First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko, received a new draft document on minerals from Washington. 

Zelenskyy said, “She said it’s very difficult to comment, as it’s a completely different document. There are many things that were not discussed, and some things that the parties had previously rejected have now appeared.”

He also mentioned that he would accept the agreement supported by the Ukrainian side.

“The format has been changed... We have the Constitution of Ukraine, which clearly states who owns what. Further, the Constitution makes it clear that our course is towards the European Union... Laws are important, reforms are very important... Nothing that can threaten Ukraine's accession to the EU can be accepted,” the Ukrainian leader said.

At the same time, Zelenskyy emphasized that he would review the new document with input from lawyers when it "does not contain relevant legislative threats."

• On March 27, Zelenskyy stated that the United States was proposing to sign a full agreement on minerals instead of a framework agreement. 
• The following day, it was revealed that the Ukrainian government had received a draft agreement from the United States on minerals, and Ukraine was in the process of formulating its position.