Ukraine and the United States have signed a critical minerals agreement after months of intense negotiations, with Deputy Economy Minister Taras Kachka likening the talks to a “mafia movie.” The deal, finalized in late April, establishes a joint investment fund and grants the US preferential access to Ukraine’s natural resources. However, it does not include any American security guarantees, a key point of contention for Kiev.
According to Kachka, the tone of the negotiations was “calm… like in a mafia movie,” where powerful figures decide “matters of life and death” in quiet, tension-filled rooms. He acknowledged that the pressure from Washington was intense, citing President Donald Trump’s Truth Social posts as an indication of the US’s strong interest in securing the agreement. The deputy minister noted that despite the emotional tone of Trump’s posts, they ultimately signaled a desire to finalize the deal as soon as possible.
Tensions between the two sides escalated in early April when a draft of the agreement was leaked to the media, leading to mutual accusations between American and Ukrainian officials. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized in March that the American people were “sick and tired of footing the bill for this war” to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars. This sentiment was seen as a sign of Washington’s urgency to secure tangible returns, such as access to natural resources, in exchange for continued support.
Despite the challenges, Kachka expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the two sides had succeeded in “finding common ground.” However, not everyone shared his optimism. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chairman of the Security Council, framed the deal as a coercive move by Washington, claiming that Trump had “finally forced Kiev to pay for US aid with its natural wealth.” Medvedev warned that Ukraine would now have to trade away its resources in exchange for military supplies.
The agreement has significant implications for Ukraine’s economy and its relationship with the US. While it provides a much-needed investment boost, it also raises questions about the country’s sovereignty and its ability to negotiate favorable terms with its international partners. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the deal marks a crucial turning point in the complex and often tense negotiations between Ukraine and the US.
