Ukraine minerals deal to split profits 50-50 with US
Trump insists he is 'putting pressure' on Putin behind scenes amid claims his Ukraine peace plan favours Russia
The US and Ukraine are finalising a 50-50 minerals profit-sharing deal, expected to be signed as soon as Thursday.
The deal marks a shift from previous US demands for Ukraine to repay past aid, and is being referred to by Ukraine’s prime minister Denys Shmyhal as “a real partnership deal”.
The agreement will see profits invested in rebuilding Ukrainian infrastructure over the next 10 years.
The first phase of the deal has also dropped previous American demands to control that infrastructure.
The deal suggests that US support for Ukraine in the war against Russia may now be influenced by potential profits.