Ukraine, U.S. face 'last minute' obstacles to signing minerals deal

This was reported by the Financial Times, citing sources.

The article says that the problems arose when First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko was flying to Washington, D.C. The team of her American colleague Scott Bessent told her that she should “be ready to sign all the agreements or return home.”

It was noted: The U.S. wants Ukraine to sign both a framework agreement and a detailed document on the creation of a fund that will allow the completion of the entire fossil fuel deal, Ukrainian sources say.

The Ukrainians said the U.S. account was inaccurate and that they could not sign both documents on Wednesday because the fund agreement must be ratified by the country's parliament before it can be signed, the FT notes.

According to the newspaper's source, today, April 30, the signing talks did not end because Kyiv sought to revise the terms agreed upon over the weekend. At the same time, U.S. officials are concerned that this will reduce transparency. However, the document could still be signed if the Ukrainian side returns to the original terms.

A Ukrainian official who participated in the talks expressed disappointment with the American side and suggested that it “will not be satisfied with anything.”

He added that the chances of a deal are slightly better than 50/50. 

• On April 30, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that an agreement on rare earth minerals with the United States would be signed within the next 24 hours. First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko arrived in Washington for this purpose.