Ukraine and the U.S. to launch 3 critical minerals mining projects

Ukraine’s Prime Minister, Yuliya Svyrydenko, announced plans for three joint mining projects between Ukraine and the United States, set to begin within the next 18 months under a bilateral agreement on natural resources.

Following talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Svyrydenko shared details on Facebook, highlighting discussions about establishing the American-Ukrainian Reconstruction Investment Fund. The fund’s first board meeting is scheduled for September.

She stated,

"We are working to expand its mandate so the fund can also invest in the defense sector. The goal is to launch the first three projects within 18 months."

Defense cooperation was another key topic during the negotiations. The talks covered a potential agreement, initiated by President Volodymyr Zelensky, on the production and export of Ukrainian drones, as well as possible purchases of American weapons.

Svyrydenko added,

"We also discussed increasing sanctions pressure and strengthening cooperation with international financial organizations."