Overview

• The US and Ukraine have signed a rare earth minerals agreement creating a 50/50 reconstruction fund, pending ratification by Ukraine's parliament on May 8.
• The US Department of State has approved $50 million in defense exports to Ukraine, marking the first such authorization since Trump resumed the presidency.
• Future US military aid to Ukraine will be credited as capital contributions to the joint fund, potentially increasing Washington's control over the partnership.
• The agreement explicitly bars Russia and China from benefiting from Ukraine's post-war reconstruction, reinforcing geopolitical exclusions.
• US officials, including Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, caution that peace talks remain stalled, with no imminent resolution to the conflict.