US Mineral Deal to Omit Repayment Terms – Ukrainian PM

The US will not ask Ukraine to repay previous aid via the mineral deal, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Sunday.

Shmyhal headed the Ukrainian delegation to finalize the terms of the resource deal last week, according to a memorandum signed earlier.

Shmyhal, announcing the results of the talks in a Sunday Telegram update, said the repayment terms for previous aid – a notion previously advocated by US President Donald Trump despite said aid being grants – have been omitted from the deal following the talks.

“Agreements have been reached that the document does not include assistance provided before its signing,” Shmyhal said.

Shmyhal also hinted at progress and said the legal teams from Kyiv and Washington are working out the terms. Shmyhal added that Kyiv’s “red lines” have been communicated to Washington.

“Legal teams are working on the document. We are making good progress. The main thing is that we have clearly defined our red lines, the agreement must comply with European obligations, and also not contradict the Constitution and legislation of Ukraine,” Shmyhal said.

The memorandum earlier stipulates that Ukraine’s EU bid should not be hindered by the resource deal.

Shmyhal also said the restoration of Ukraine was among the topics of discussion, which he said could be bolstered by the investments that come with the resource deal, adding that “Ukraine will continue to receive support from partners.”

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He added that Kyiv and Washington have an “understanding” on continuing Washington’s sanctions on Moscow.

“Sanctions against Russia remain an important tool of pressure, as the aggressor is constantly trying to weaken them. We have an understanding on this issue,” he said.

Politico reported last week that the Trump administration is mulling the lifting of sanctions on the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and other Russian assets in Europe as part of broader talks about ending the war.