On April 11, representatives from the US and Ukraine held important negotiations regarding a mineral agreement. However, as reported by Reuters, the dialogue turned out to be quite tense. During the meeting, the American side provided their Ukrainian counterparts with an updated document that included an unexpected clause: a demand for the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to gain control over the Russian Gazprom pipeline that runs through Ukraine to Europe.
This is reported by Business • Media
The US Department of the Treasury characterized the negotiations as “technical in nature.” Former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that the country had been working with Ukraine on a mineral resources agreement since the administration of President Joe Biden. However, former President Donald Trump significantly altered the initial concept of the agreement.
“We have been trying for many months to attract investment to Ukraine, including in this sector. It would be beneficial for our companies. But what we saw in the agreement proposed by the Trump administration is, I believe, simply extortion, with no protection for Ukraine against Russia,” Blinken emphasized.
This situation has raised concerns among Ukrainian officials who were hoping for a constructive dialogue and fair cooperation terms. The continuation of negotiations appears uncertain, as the presence of conditions such as control over the Russian pipeline raises questions about future investments and partnerships between the two countries.