Overview
- Ukraine and the United States are working to finalize a critical minerals agreement, with unresolved issues delaying a formal signing.
- Key sticking points include profit-sharing terms, U.S. oversight rights, and the inclusion of frozen Russian assets for war damage reparations.
- Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko stated that Kyiv is moving "as fast as we can" but provided no specific timeline for completion.
- The negotiations follow a memorandum of intent signed on April 17, marking an initial step toward expanded economic cooperation.
- Washington has signaled it may withdraw from peace-broker efforts between Russia and Ukraine unless clear progress on the economic partnership is made.