U.S.-Ukraine resource deal hits snag over transparency issues

• The USA and Ukraine faced problems in the final phase of negotiations over the resource agreement. The American side is concerned that it may affect transparency and accountability.
• Ukrainian officials expressed disappointment with the US stance, which is pushing for the signing of both the framework and the detailed agreement on the fund.
• Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal announced that the agreement will be signed within the next 24 hours Eastern Time, after which two technical contracts will be signed.

The American side expressed concern that signing the agreement in its current form could "lead to reduced transparency and accountability."

According to Ukrainian officials, the USA wants Kyiv to sign both the framework agreement and the detailed fund agreement simultaneously to finalize the deal.

Sources from the "Financial Times" familiar with the negotiations indicate that during Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko's trip to Washington, American Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the minister should either be ready to sign all agreements, or return home."

Ukrainian officials emphasize that they are ready to sign the framework part of the agreement now. Still, they cannot sign both documents simultaneously because the fund agreement requires ratification by the Verkhovna Rada. One of the Ukrainian negotiation participants assessed the chances of signing the agreement as "fifty-fifty."

"It seems that nothing is sufficient for them," added a Ukrainian official.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal announced that the resource agreement between Kyiv and Washington will be signed within the next 24 hours Eastern Time. Following this step, signing two additional technical contracts for creating and financing an investment fund is planned. Additionally, according to MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak, payouts from the agreement will be banned for a long time, meaning profits can only be reinvested.