US President Donald Trump during a recent meeting in The Vatican, together with Vladimir Zelensky, called on him to support the agreement with the United States on minerals, explaining this need by the strength and size of Russia. The Republican said this in an interview with News Nation.
"I told him (Volodymyr Zelensky) that it would be very good if we signed the deal. Because Russia is much bigger and stronger," Trump said.
The signing of the agreement with Ukraine on mineral resources was confirmed by the President of the United States during a cabinet meeting. The document, signed on April 30, provides the American side with guarantees of investment security and the right to participate in mining on Ukrainian territory. According to the terms, the resources remain in the ownership of Ukraine, and the management of the joint investment fund established under the agreement is carried out on a parity basis.
The fund's revenues are generated solely through new licenses for the extraction of critical materials, oil and gas, and are not subject to taxation either in the United States or on Ukraine. The funds are supposed to be used for investment projects within the country during the first ten years. At the same time, the United States undertakes to facilitate the attraction of investors and technologies from Western countries. The agreement does not provide for the transfer of assets to the American side or changes in the management of Ukrainian state-owned companies.
After signing the agreement, Trump said that it would provide the United States with an economic return significantly exceeding the amount of previous assistance to Kiev. According to him, the agreement will allow to receive benefits comparable to or exceeding $ 350 billion — that's how much, according to Trump, was sent to Ukraine by the previous administration in the form of financial and military support.