'Positive sign': analyst on Ukraine-U.S. mineral agreement

He shared his opinion live on Espreso.

"Here I’m just sure that this is a good sign, because it’s really more of a signal than some clear promise with defined financial or other opportunities that open up. All of that still needs to be worked through and checked. Just like our loan agreement, where we now have to make payments based on our GDP growth — payments that, frankly, weren’t really expected. And maybe something will come out of this agreement over time. One thing is the general outline we've already seen from Deputy Prime Minister Svyrydenko’s presentation. Another thing is the full text, which will be published, sent to the Verkhovna Rada, ratified, and so on. But it is a signal, and it’s definitely positive. Overall, it reminds me of late 2013, when we remember the Association Agreement with the EU. In terms of content, it wasn’t a life-changing document," he said.

Maksym Rozumnyi recalled that in 2013, people noted the EU had signed similar association agreements with many other countries. But in the specific context of late 2013, it felt like part of a bigger political, geopolitical, maybe even historical trend: "That is, which direction is Ukraine heading — toward a European, pro-Western course, or back into this post-Soviet club of autocrats and imperial revanchists?"

"Back then, Yanukovych’s move spoke volumes — to Ukrainian society, to his Russian allies, and to our Western partners. And the same applies now. The signing of this agreement shows that this tender, in all likelihood, is being handled by the Donald Trump administration. Ukraine, in a way, accepted America’s terms. And now the Americans are waiting for Vladimir Putin’s answer. They’re offering him, by the way, a similar package — with material incentives, mutual economic benefits, and political steps tied to it. So far, it looks like Ukraine is winning the bid for American support right now," the political scientist added.

• Ukraine and the United States signed an agreement on creating the Investment Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukraine on April 30.