Overview

• Ukraine and the United States signed a memorandum of intent on April 17, establishing steps toward a full Economic Partnership Agreement and an Investment Fund for Ukraine's reconstruction.
• The deal aims to jointly develop Ukraine's vast critical mineral resources, including lithium and rare earth elements, vital for green energy and defense industries.
• Ukrainian officials emphasized that the agreement must not compromise the country's aspirations for European Union membership, calling it a 'red line.'
• The memorandum sets a goal to finalize and sign the comprehensive agreement by late April, with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal traveling to Washington next week for further discussions.
• U.S. expectations for privileged access to Ukraine's mineral profits as partial repayment for military aid remain a key point of negotiation.