Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal emphasized Thursday that any minerals agreement with the U.S. must not undermine Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union. Speaking in Brussels, Shmyhal called this a “red line” as Kyiv prepares to send a technical delegation to Washington for talks on post-war reconstruction and mineral exploitation.
The U.S., under President Donald Trump, is pushing for a deal that would grant it a share of Ukraine’s future mineral revenues — potentially up to half — as compensation for extensive wartime aid. However, Ukraine is resisting any terms that treat past U.S. support as debt or compromise its EU integration.
“We’ll look for the best solution,” Shmyhal said, stressing that Ukraine wants expanded American investment, but not at the cost of its European future. The talks, set to begin next week, come amid growing interest in Ukraine’s mineral wealth as the country plans for post-war recovery.
