U.S.–Ukraine minerals deal in doubt after last-minute disagreement — Financial Times
Source: Bloomberg
Update: The U.S. and Ukraine have agreed upon all key points of a mineral resources deal and Kyiv is expected to sign the agreement as soon as Washington gives its final confirmation, RBC-Ukraine reports, citing Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
Update 2: The U.S. and Ukraine encountered “last-minute hurdles” in signing the mineral deal, casting doubt on whether it would be signed on Wednesday, the Financial Times reports. A U.S. source told the newspaper that talks were still ongoing because Ukraine wanted to revisit terms that had been agreed upon on the weekend. Ukrainian sources disputed this account, saying they could not sign a fund agreement included in the deal without it being ratified by the country’s parliament.
Ukraine and the U.S. may sign a mineral resources agreement as early as April 30, according to Bloomberg and RBC-Ukraine.
Bloomberg, citing a source familiar with the matter, reported that a draft agreement has been finalized. It provides for the creation of a joint fund to manage investment projects in Ukraine and could be signed on Wednesday.
The source also said that Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko is traveling to Washington to sign the deal.
RBC-Ukraine, citing multiple sources, reported that both sides are finalizing the technical details. According to the sources, the Ukrainian government may approve the agreement on April 30.