Key Insights from the New US-Ukraine Resources Agreement

Wed Oct 22 2025 08:39:28 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A closer look at the recently signed deal between the United States and Ukraine, focusing on implications for resources, military assistance, and EU ambitions.

The US and Ukraine have finalized a significant deal granting Washington access to Ukraine's natural resources amidst ongoing conflict, raising issues around military support, EU negotiations, and economic reinvestment.

The US and Ukraine have formally entered into a landmark agreement that permits access to some of Ukraine's valuable natural resources, marking a strategic move aimed at bolstering US support for the embattled nation nearly three years after Russia's invasion. This deal, which has emerged after months of negotiations, is expected to lay the groundwork for an investment fund that Ukraine hopes will encourage ongoing US assistance as the country navigates its war-torn situation.

Here are seven critical aspects to understand about this new agreement:

1. **No Debt Repayment Expected**: The deal notably avoids any stipulation requiring Ukraine to repay the alleged $350 billion in aid claimed by former President Trump. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed that there is no "debt" tied to this new agreement.

2. **US Gains Access to Resources**: Although Trump has touted the agreement as a strategic win for the US, emphasizing potential returns exceeding current financial support, it raises questions regarding the distribution of Ukraine’s resources.

3. **Stronger US Stance Against Russia**: The language surrounding the agreement is markedly robust against Russia, identifying the invasion as "full-scale" and stipulating that no individuals or parties supporting Russia's war will benefit from aid aimed at Ukraine's recovery.

4. **Inclusion of Hydrocarbons**: While the primary focus has been on Ukraine's mineral resources, the agreement extends to oil and natural gas, previously omitted from earlier drafts. This could reflect a shift in Ukrainian negotiation tactics in securing more diverse support.

5. **Support for EU Ambitions**: Concerns regarding potential conflicts with Ukraine’s European Union accession plans have been addressed, as the agreement explicitly acknowledges Ukraine's EU aspirations and commits the US to renegotiate terms if needed.

6. **Continued US Military Assistance**: Ukrainian officials suggest that the agreement may pave the way for future US military aid, potentially including advanced defense systems, which could signify a pivot in US strategy relating to military support for Ukraine.

7. **Economic Reinvestment**: A striking component of the deal is the promise that any profits generated in the initial decade will be fully reinvested into Ukraine’s economy. While specifics on this provision have yet to be outlined in the signed agreement, it highlights Ukraine's intent to prioritize its economic recovery.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the deal as a meaningful opportunity for American inputs in funding and military support, while Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller suggested the deal serves as a form of "repayment" to US taxpayers for their support during the ongoing conflict. Observers await the Kremlin's response to this agreement, raising broader questions about its impact on the conflict's trajectory.