The United States and Ukraine signed the rare earth metals agreement, BGNES reports.

The deal will give the United States privileged access to new investment projects to develop Ukraine's natural resources, including aluminum, graphite, oil and natural gas.

"Washington and Kiev have signed an agreement to create a US-Ukrainian investment fund for reconstruction. In recognition of the significant financial and material support the people of the United States have provided to protect Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion, this economic partnership provides an opportunity for our two countries to work together and invest to ensure that our shared assets, talents, and capabilities can accelerate Ukraine's economic recovery," the U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement.

"Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the International Development Finance Corporation will work with the Government of Ukraine to finalize the management of the program and advance this important partnership," the statement added.

"Thanks to President Trump's tireless efforts to secure lasting peace, I am pleased to announce today's signing of the historic Economic Partnership Agreement between the United States and Ukraine to establish the Ukraine-United States Recovery Investment Fund," said U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant.

"As the President has said, the United States is committed to helping end this cruel and senseless war. This agreement sends a clear signal to Russia that the Trump administration is committed to a peace process centered on a free, sovereign and prosperous Ukraine for the long term. President Trump envisioned this partnership between the American and Ukrainian people to demonstrate both countries' commitment to lasting peace and prosperity in Ukraine. And to be clear, no country or individual who has funded or supplied the Russian war machine will be allowed to benefit from Ukraine's recovery," Bessent added.

"Both the United States and the government of Ukraine look forward to the swift operationalization of this historic economic partnership for both the Ukrainian and American people," the department's statement added.

Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko travels to Washington on 30 April to sign the framework agreement on behalf of Ukraine. She signed the document together with US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant.

"I am grateful to everyone who worked for the agreement and made it more meaningful. The document is now one that can ensure success for both our countries - Ukraine and the United States," she said. | BGNES