Ukraine’s Parliament has ratified an economic cooperation agreement with the United States, which includes the rare minerals sector — a step Kyiv views as an opportunity to secure military assistance in its war against Russia, reports Rks News.
According to Reuters, 338 lawmakers voted in favor and none against, although some MPs expressed concerns about the government’s lack of transparency regarding the details of the agreement.
“The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has ratified the historic Economic Cooperation Agreement between Ukraine and the United States,” said First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko on social media platform X.
Ukrainian officials stated that two additional annexes to the agreement will be published at a later stage, which will contain specific details of the cooperation.
Following months of negotiations including a not-so-pleasant meeting between Presidents Zelensky and Trump — the agreement is seen as a major achievement for Kyiv. It stipulates that Ukraine will not be required to repay previous aid, which former President Trump had once labeled as “a debt to the U.S.” Meanwhile, Washington acknowledges Ukraine’s ambition to join the European Union.
