Ukrainian Prime Minister To Visit Washington In Bid To Finalise Strategic Minerals Deal.
Ukraine’s Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal, is scheduled to visit Washington next week for high-level talks with top United States officials, as both nations push to finalise a long-anticipated agreement on strategic minerals and natural resources by 26 April.
The visit, confirmed in a memorandum released on Friday by the Ukrainian government, signals a renewed commitment by both sides to conclude the deal, which had been delayed following a political disagreement between Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky in February.
The proposed agreement is expected to grant the United States royalty payments from the profits of Ukraine’s mining sector, particularly from the extraction of rare minerals. Former President Joe Biden’s administration had previously extended significant aid to Kyiv, and the current US President, Donald Trump, is reportedly seeking this deal as a form of compensation and strategic economic partnership.
According to a one-page memorandum of intent signed by both countries, negotiators have set a target of 26 April to conclude discussions, with the formal signing to follow shortly thereafter.
“Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal will visit Washington, DC the week of 21 April 2025 to meet with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and lend high-level support to the conclusion of technical discussions,” the document stated.
The memo further noted that negotiating teams are to report on progress by the set deadline, underlining the urgency of the talks. The discussions are expected to centre on how the agreement can benefit both nations economically, while also strengthening Ukraine’s strategic resilience.
American officials have expressed that increased US business involvement in Ukraine, particularly in the critical minerals sector, could serve as a deterrent to future Russian aggression should a ceasefire eventually take effect. The rare minerals in question are essential to global industries, including technology and defence, and Ukraine is believed to hold substantial untapped reserves.
Kyiv, meanwhile, is not only focused on the economic benefits of the deal but is also pushing for concrete military and security assurances from Washington as part of any broader post-war framework.
With the war in Ukraine now in its third year, both countries are under pressure to solidify long-term strategic and economic cooperation — a goal which this agreement seeks to underpin.
