Svyrydenko explained that the government received a “working version” of the new agreement with the United States on subsoil
First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyridenko reported, that the Ukrainian government has received from the United States the text of a new agreement on minerals. She characterized this document as a “working version” that is currently under development.
“This is the working version, which, in fact, reflects the position of American legal advisers. We are forming our position and now the process is also formalized. When necessary, we will of course leave the consultation with the Verkhovna Rada. Any public discussions at the moment regarding the text of this agreement will only harm the negotiations and prevent us from having a constructive discussion with our American partners.” Svyridenko explained.
She emphasized that after reaching an agreed option, the government will definitely address the parliament with an official position.
The day before, People’s Deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak, commenting on this situation, reported, that the American side provided a draft agreement on the subsoil, which, according to him, provides for full US control over all Ukrainian mineral resources, without any mention of security guarantees for Ukraine.
“The Americans are expected to control all subsoil, all future infrastructure projects. The money goes abroad and is distributed according to the decision of the American side.” Zheleznyak emphasized.
According to him, the document is extremely disadvantageous for Ukraine, as it provides that the main profits will be transferred outside the country, and the royalties from the fund will be the first to be received by the United States.
We will remind that the agreement was almost ready to be signed on February 28 after reaching a compromise between Ukraine and the USA. It was planned to approve it in Washington with the participation of the presidents of both countries. However, during a meeting in the Oval Office, the negotiations were interrupted by a public verbal dispute between Volodymyr Zelenskyi and Donald Trump.
On March 27, the President of Ukraine stated that the final text of the agreement on the use of Ukrainian subsoil has not yet been agreed upon, although the Trump administration expects it to be signed in the near future.
